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Socceroos draw Japan on the road to Russia 2018

Australia face arch-rivals Japan in a gruelling test to qualify for a fourth straight FIFA World Cup.

The Blue Samurai have been drawn as the Socceroos’ headline opponent in a group including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Iraq and Thailand.

While three trips to the Middle East won’t please national team coach Ange Postecoglou, he is confident of finishing in the top two of the group and progressing to the 2018 tournament in Russia.

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Australia avoid Asian Cup finalists Korea in the draw, who will play off in Group B with Iran, Uzbekistan, China, Qatar and Syria.

Since memorably beating Japan at the 2006 World Cup, the two sides have faced each other in two World Cup qualifying campaigns. But it’s been seven years since the Socceroos last triumphed over them, a 2-1 win at the MCG.

Tim-Cahill

Tim Cahill can’t wait to meet Japan.

Japan scorched through their second-round group, scoring 27 goals without conceding but Postecoglou says he isn’t daunted by the draw.

“As champions of Asia we will show due respect to all countries but stay focused on continuing our journey that has aspirations greater than simply qualifying for the World Cup,” he said from Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday night.

“Over the last two years we have built up a very strong portfolio of information on most Asian nations and its players by having scouts at matches and tournaments all over Asia so the players go into every match well prepared.”

Socceroos striker Tim Cahill, who plies his trade in the Chinese Super League, said the draw would be a slog.

“The only good thing is I won’t be responsible for knocking China out,” he told Fox Sports.

“Japan: a country we know, we’ve had a lot of good times against and some hard times. We’ve had some good battles.

“But to make it to such a prestigious tournament you have to beat the best.”

How we can make the World Cup

Ideally, Australia finish in the top two to automatically qualify for the showpiece event.

Australia cruised through the first phase of qualifying. Photo: Getty

Australia cruised through the first phase of qualifying. Photo: Getty

However, Asia has four-and-a-half spots at the World Cup, so there’s still hope if the Socceroos finish third.

The third-placed side in both groups will take on each other for the right to represent the Asian region in a play-off.

The winner of that match will then take on the fourth-placed nation from the CONCACAF region in a two-legged play-off.

CONCACAF is made up of nations such as the United States, Mexico, Canada, Honduras and Trinidad and Tobago.

Australia played Canada in their bid to reach the 1994 FIFA World Cup, winning in a penalty shootout after two tense legs.

The second leg was goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer’s first start for Australia, and he proved the hero, saving two penalties in the shootout.

But that win saw Australia meet Argentina with a World Cup berth on the line – and Diego Maradona’s side were too good.

The story so far

The Socceroos cantered through the first round of the qualifying process for the 2018 World Cup, winning seven of their eight matches and scoring 29 goals.

It meant they easily topped Group B with 21 points, five ahead of Jordan.

Their home wins (Bangladesh 5-0, Kyrgyzstan 3-0, Tajikistan 7-0, Jordan 5-1) were all routs, but things were a little tougher on the road.

They lost 2-0 in Jordan, and only beat Kyrgyzstan 2-1, but all in all, it was a breezy run of matches that allowed coach Ange Postecoglou to spread the workload as several new faces were included.

Nine different players scored in the first phase, with Tim Cahill leading the way with eight goals. Tom Rogic and Mile Jedinak, with four goals each, and Nathan Burns with three, also chipped in.

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