Socceroos concede favorite tag to Japan in World Cup qualifying group

smithinjapan

I merely commented on the poor state of the pitch. Didn't say anything about it affecting one side or the other. You shouldn't get so defensive...

Very strange ending to an otherwise tough game. Both sides fought hard, even though the refereeing was shoddy on both sides. So many yellow cards. Seems like in the end, both sides were content with a draw. Even Honda was sharing a laugh with Cahill as they exchanged shirts. And why not, both sides could come away from this with a point. The rematch in Japan next year will be interesting to watch.

What a crazy game. Too bad about the crazy officiating, but enjoyed watching this one. Australia was smart to play constantly play the long passes to Cahill, because Japan is really bad at defending it, and the terrible pitch just wasn't fit for a short passing game. But despite a bad start, I thought Japan play decently enough. Kagawa is a joy to watch every time he touches the ball, and Honda was again the engine of the team. Most of the good chances that Japan had were created by Honda's ability to control the ball. Looking forward to many future games between Japan and Australia.

smithinjapan - "what I wouldn't give to see Honda get his much deserved yellow card (he truly is becoming a real soccer player!)."

Not sure what you mean by him becoming a real soccer player, but why in the world would it give you joy to see him getting a yellow card? Seeing a player you hate getting a red and being tossed from the game? I can see how that could be enjoyable, but a yellow card? What joy is there in seeing that?

"I guess the reason I'm not seeing it at all in the media is because Japan did not do as well as expected. Had they won, it would not only be the pic of the day on JT, but I would never hear the end of it for more than a week. As it is, thank the gods, people will suddenly not be fans anymore and not talk about it."

The Australian media were hyping up the Japanese team more than anybody. Nobody in Japan expected an easy game. They know better than anybody how dangerous Australia is and most Japanese fans are probably happy with the draw away. And despite your stereotyping, there are plenty of hardcore and knowledgeable fans in Japan. There are obviously bandwagon hoppers who talk about sports like they talk about the weather to make small talk, but this is one sport where the following is real.

@ spudman - just like your All-Whites gave away 2 goals to lose to that soccer powerhouse New Caledonia the other day eh, Bro! Japan rightly deserve favouritism as Lucas says. However, I'd expect a better performance in Brisbane - with 2 strikers rather than 1 - than the conservative game served up in Oman. They are usually nailbiters, Japan-Aussie games - I reckon this may be no different. Go the Socceroos!

What kind of ending was that??!! How much did the OZs paid the referees?? Come on let Honda shoot the last free kick!!!!!!

That was some of the worst refereeing I've seen in a while. That ridiculous ending was par for the course though considering all of the other moronic calls (on both sides) made by that Saudi ref.

And what was with that pitch? Aren't there any better pitches in Australia that they could have used for WC qualifier?

And what was with that pitch? Aren't there any better pitches in Australia that they could have used for WC qualifier?

Ha ha! It's a Rugby League and Union ground, mate. There are no dedicated soccer pitches in Aus - so they are often torn up a bit and look a bit rough!

What an ugly display by the Australian's, Japan played them off of the park. The ref must have had his hotel suite upgraded to be throwing around so many yellow cards to Japan. Honda deserves a medal for keeping his cool when Australia's only tactic seemed to be to foul him. Go Japan!

Smith do you even own a TV????? It was on air on TV Asahi saturated with publicity. Red card?? Which parallel universe were you in ??

I meant two goals.

The points to date mean little or nothing, given the teams Japan played, but they are indeed a younger and fresher squad, and I do think they'll win. The momentum they are riding is almost tangible.

What kind of ending was that??!! How much did the OZs paid the referees?? Come on let Honda shoot the last free kick!!!!!!

To be fair - they had already gone over by 1 minute over the injury time. Would have been a travesty had Honda actually scored. Agreed about the dodgy refs though - but sadly this is Asia and the majority of Asian confed nations refs/officials are substandard with the exception of Aus, Japan and S Korea. Australia entering the Asia confed. has hopefully forced other Asian nations officials/infrastructure to lift their game, but it will take time.

The ref must have had his hotel suite upgraded to be throwing around so many yellow cards to Japan

Yeah, but with comments like this - it is hard to take you seriously.

I reckon if the Ockers only give away two games they will be doing alright.

You would expect Tim Cahill start as he usually does the business against Japan.

You guys punch above your weight usually though Spudman, All-Whites are my 2nd team - the only undefeated team in the 2010 World Cup! Thats what shocked me about the loss to New Caledonia.

Anyway...Well done, Socceroos! I was only able to watch the last half hour but we performed WAAAAYYY better than any of the pundits predicted. Shocking refereeing that affected both teams. Have those refs ever seen a soccer ball, BTW? I think both us and Japan will probably happily take that point and look to the next game. I'm sure the Japan fans will be enjoying their time in Queensland, great to see so many at Suncorp Stadium.

Any rumours on where the return leg might be?

Come on Nagai Stadium :-)

Des, only homesick Poms follow soccer in Enzed, the rest of us follow winners. ha ha.

StanTheMan: trolling again? Honda deserved to be red-carded, and why Japan didn't get a hand-ball call in the first half is beyond anyone.

My biggest question is why the FU&K is this not being broadcast on regular TV?????? AKB48 are on there, sure enough, sitting there and looking stupid while asked if they like tomatoes and what not, but a major sports event?

Getting ready for irate SamuraiBlue fans and for-whatever-reason-Honda fans to give me thumbs down because they're upset about the result.

According to at least one of them above, it's all a "conspiracy" against Japan...

Aussies are playing possum..be afraid Japan its deja vu all over again !

Japan could and should win this one. They are much younger and improved while a lot of the Australians are on their last legs. The Aussies also played in 40 degree heat in the desert last Friday. No excuses for Japan.

In Australias advantage is that Japan are front-runners. If they concede early, they will park the bus.

Did I hear that Australia has not lost a World Cup qualifier at home in 31 years?? What a record!

USNinJapan2: "And what was with that pitch? Aren't there any better pitches in Australia that they could have used for WC qualifier?"

Maybe so, but both teams played on the same pitch. Not like it was a disadvantage to one team and not the other.

Getting ready for irate SamuraiBlue fans and for-whatever-reason-Honda fans to give me thumbs down because they're upset about the result.

Apparently the game is done despite ESPN giving a 'live' broadcast and comments still coming in. Pissed that I missed that one.... looks like it was awesome, and what I wouldn't give to see Honda get his much deserved yellow card (he truly is becoming a real soccer player!). I guess the reason I'm not seeing it at all in the media is because Japan did not do as well as expected. Had they won, it would not only be the pic of the day on JT, but I would never hear the end of it for more than a week. As it is, thank the gods, people will suddenly not be fans anymore and not talk about it.