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 group  to Russia in 20-18.

Australia will play their next qualifier against Thailand in November.

Lily Nothling, QUT News