After drawing at home to Australia, Japan conceded a goal for the first time in the round of 18 and also lost points for the first time, failing to win ten consecutive victories in the World Preliminary Round!
In the round of 18, the Japan team continued its excellent form, after a 7-0 home win over the national football team in the first round, the Japan team won 5-0 against Bahrain and 2-0 against Saudi Arabia.
Australia midfielder Jackson Owen said, "Our opponents are not just the best team in Asia, but one of the best and best performing teams in the world. ”
Japan firmly dominated, but with 70% possession, Japan had only one of six shots on target in the first half. In the 58th minute, Miller made a diagonal pass, and Shogo Taniguchi made a mistake in clearing the siege and accidentally scored an own goal! It was Japan's first goal conceded in the round of 18, ending a streak of six consecutive clean sheets.
In the 76th minute, Nakamura Keito burst into the penalty area and crossed, and Burgess scored an own goal. In the end, two own goals made it a 1-1 draw!
After the draw against Australia, Japan remain in Group C with 10 points from four unbeaten matches. At the same time, Japan has also set a series of records.
First of all, Japan are unbeaten in the round of 18, scoring 15 goals and conceding only one goal in four games. Secondly, in the World Preliminary Round, Japan extended their unbeaten record since October 12, 2021, unbeaten in 16 games, with 14 wins and 2 draws. Japan's last defeat in the World Cup was on 7 October 2021 when they lost 1-0 away to Saudi Arabia and their last defeat at home was on 2 September 2021 when they lost 1-0 to Oman. Third, Japan extended their unbeaten run against Australia since January 29, 2011, with six wins and four draws in 10 matches.
Fourth, Japan extended their unbeaten run at home to Australia since October 16, 1969, with eight wins and three draws in 11 games.
Fifth, Japan extended their streak of goals to 25 games, continuing to set the record for the longest streak in team history, and the last time they were kept clean was against Ecuador on September 27, 2022. Nikkan Sports pointed out that "if this form continues, then Japan will become the first team to qualify for the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and also set a record for the fastest World Cup in team history." ”