Australia's Socceroos face the most daunting road trip in Asia on Tuesday when it faces a dominant Japan at Saitama Stadium, knowing a win would put the Socceroos back on track for a sixth successive World Cup appearance after a mixed start in the third round of qualification.

The Group C meeting is also a chance for new coach Tony Popovic, appointed in September to replace Graham Arnold, to make a statement win in his second game in charge and cross swords with a former team-mate.

Popovic played for Japanese club Sanfrecce Hiroshima from 1997 to 2001 alongside Hajime Moriyasu – now coach of Japan. “I know their head coach very well; he was my captain during my time in Japan. A remarkable person who has dedicated years to developing the national team,” said Popovic.

Japan is on course for an eighth successive World Cup appearance with three wins against China, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, scoring 14 goals and conceding none.

“This is undoubtedly a significant challenge, but it also presents a fantastic opportunity to etch our name in history by winning in Japan,” Popovic said after defeating China 3-1 in his first game in charge on Thursday, a result that took Australia to four points in the group, five behind Japan.

The top two teams from each of the three groups of six qualify automatically for the 2026 World Cup with the third and fourth place finishers advancing to the next stage.

Like Australia, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have four points and meet in Jeddah, while winless China hosts Indonesia at home.

The top two in Group B meet as South Korea hosts Iraq with both teams on seven points. The game has been switched to the city of Yongin, due to the poor condition of the playing surface at Seoul World Cup Stadium.

South Korea will be without English Premier League stars Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan of Wolverhampton Wanderers due to injury.

Third-placed Jordan hosts Oman in fourth while the bottom two meet as the Palestinians take on Kuwait with both looking for a first win.

In Group A, Uzbekistan and Iran are top with seven points each. Iran will host fourth-place Qatar in Dubai, due to the security situation at home while Uzbekistan takes on the United Arab Emirates in third.

Japan's Dominance

Japan is a formidable opponent, having won all three of its qualifiers to date, scoring 14 goals across those victories. This team is a force to be reckoned with, boasting a strong defense and a potent attack. They have a history of success in this competition, having never lost a qualifier at Saitama Stadium. Australia has never defeated Japan in Japan, and last claimed a win against them full-stop back in 2009, at the MCG.

Australia's New Era

Australia's new coach, Tony Popovic, has brought a renewed sense of optimism to the team. He has a clear vision for the Socceroos and is looking to build a team that is capable of competing at the highest level. However, Popovic's first match in charge was a mixed bag. They managed a victory over China but conceded a goal. They need to maintain a high level of performance in this crucial match.

Key Players

The match will see two of the most in-form midfielders in the world go head-to-head, Liverpool's Wataru Endo and Hidemasa Morita. The Australian team will need to find a way to contain them. In addition, Australia's Jackson Irvine will play a crucial role in midfield. He will need to provide a strong defensive presence and also create chances for his teammates. This match will be a true test for both players.

A Win to Remember

A win for Australia against Japan would be a massive upset and a significant step towards World Cup qualification. It would be an incredible feat for the Socceroos, who have never beaten Japan at Saitama Stadium. The Socceroos have a tough task ahead of them but, as Jackson Irvine said, they must have perfect performance to overcome the Samurai Blue.

A New Chapter

This match is a chance for Australia to make a statement and show the world that they are a team to be reckoned with. It is a crucial match in their World Cup qualification campaign, and it is one that they will be looking to win. The match will be a clash of styles, with Japan's focus on possession and technical play, and Australia's more direct and physical approach. Regardless of the outcome, the match promises to be a thrilling encounter between two of Asia's strongest footballing nations. Let’s hope that the Socceroos can pull off the unthinkable and win against their tough opponents.