Australia vs Japan Prediction, Preview, Predicted Lineups and Team News | AFC World Cup Qualifiers

Australia vs Japan Preview

• Competition: AFC World Cup Qualifiers
• Date: Thursday, 5 June 2025
• Kick-off Time: 11:10 am GMT
• Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth, Australia

The ninth and penultimate matchday of the third round in the AFC World Cup Qualification will include Australia welcoming Japan at the Optus Stadium in Perth, Australia. The two sides are at the top of the Group C points table. Japan is at the summit with 20 points, while Australia is in the second spot with 13 points so far. The top two teams will earn direct qualification to the showpiece event next year. The Australia vs Japan fixture will be a great spectacle for Asian football ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Inconsistencies and mixed results have marked the recent matches of Australia. The national team has managed three wins and three draws in the last six matches. The Australian Football Federation will be eager to finish in the top two and earn a direct ticket to North America next year. Saudi Arabia is just three points with two games to go and will be ready to pounce in case of any loss of focus from the Oceanian nation. Australia has scored 2.5 goals per game in this qualification tournament, which is the second highest.

Japan will be pleased and content with how the latest matches have played out. In the last six outings, the Japanese have accumulated four victories and two draws, scoring 12 goals and conceding just a couple of goals. The players have lived up to the expectation of being the best nation in this qualification competition. With two matchdays to go, Japan is at the top of its group with 20 points out of a possible 24 and a mammoth goal difference of 22. Japan was a pleasant sight for everyone at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and the fans will be excited for an improvement next year. The Japanese football team has already secured qualification and hence might look to rotate the playing XI against Australia. The country has conceded just 0.2 goals per game, which is the best in the AFC World Cup qualifiers.

Australia Team News

At the moment, there are no reported injuries and fitness issues in the Australian National Team camp. Coach Tony Popovic likes to set his team up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, which gives him a dynamic approach to deal with the in-game situations.

Japan Team News

The Japanese National Team will have several players returning from European football ahead of the AFC World Cup Qualifiers. With qualification already secured, the Japanese can afford to hand out minutes to the squad players on Thursday.

Australia vs Japan Predicted Lineups

Australia Predicted Lineup (3-4-2-1)

Goalkeeper: Ryan

Defenders: Geria, Degenek, Burgess

Midfielders: Miller, Irvine, Teague, Behich

Forwards: Boyle, Velupillay, Borrello

Japan Predicted Lineup (3-4-2-1)

Goalkeeper: Suzuki

Defenders: Sugawara, Itakura, Ito

Midfielders: Takai, Endo, Tanaka, Nakamura

Forwards: Kubo, Kamada, Maeda

Australia vs Japan H2H Record

The last five games between the two sides have ended in three wins for Japan and two draws.

Key Players to Watch in Australia vs Japan

Matt Ryan (Australia)

With the football community eager to tune into the brilliance of the Australian youth, it will be important not to forget the likes of experienced campaigners like Matthew Ryan. The 32-year-old is one of the several names in the Australian squad to be involved in European club football.

Ryan is a part of the Lens side in Ligue 1 and is the starting goalkeeper for his nation. He led his team during the 2022 FIFA World Cup as well as the 2023 AFC Asian Cup. Matthew Ryan is fourth in the list of the most appearances as the captain of the Australian National Team. He had an average save percentage of 75.8% this season.

Takefusa Kubo (Japan)

Kubo has been one of the brightest talents coming out of Japan in recent years. Kubo already has an impressive resume at the age of just 23. Coming out of the FC Barcelona youth academy, the winger joined rivals Real Madrid years later. Takefusa Kubo has made a name for himself at Real Sociedad, where he was allowed to become a permanent feature on the right wing. Kubo has seven goals and four assists this season for his club and registered a goal and an assist during the last international break.

Australia vs Japan Prediction

It is easy to put the money on Japan's chances against Australia. However, the hosts will be determined not to suffer a defeat, which will confirm a place in the next year's FIFA World Cup.

Predicted Score: Australia 2-2 Japan

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