Japan, Australia Draw 1-1 in World Cup Qualifier

In a dramatic 1-1 draw during Asian World Cup qualifying, Japan and Australia saw both goals result from own-goals, with Shogo Taniguchi putting Australia ahead and Cameron Burgess equalizing for Japan. Despite dominating possession, Japan struggled to create significant chances, with Takefusa Kubo coming close but ultimately failing to score. This result leaves Japan atop Group C with 10 points, while Australia sits second with 5 points. Australia's midfielder Jackson Irvine praised the team's defensive performance, as they managed to secure a vital point in Saitama. The match was characterized by defensive errors rather than offensive prowess, with Australia recording only one shot and Japan having a significantly higher expected goals metric. Both teams now look ahead to their next qualifying matches, with Japan aiming to maintain their lead and Australia seeking to improve their standing.