Australia and Japan have played a one-all draw in a World Cup qualifier.
The result means the Socceroos are no longer on top of their table.
Lily Nothling reports.
TRANSCRIPT
A disappointing start for the Socceroos … with the team conceding a goal in the first five minutes…
Coach Ange Postecoglou says the Australian side wasted the first 45 minutes of the home game in Melbourne.
Ange Postecoglou, Socceroos Coach: “We conceded an early goal…again, something we’ve spoken about endlessly, and then even after that it wasn’t the reaction I was expecting”.
The Socceroos fought back in the second half, with captain Mile (MEE-lay) Jedinak scoring a lucky penalty to salvage the score.
But the team’s failure to secure a win … and Saudi Arabia’s victory against the U-A-E … means Australia has been knocked off the top of the qualifying table.
Ange Postecoglou, Socceroos Coach: “Really disappointing first half. We’re just very naive”.
The Socceroos are still well placed to advance from the groupĀ to Russia in 20-18.
Australia will play their next qualifier against Thailand in November.
Lily Nothling, QUT News