Japan’s head coach Hajime Moriyasu expressed frustration after his team’s perfect World Cup qualifying record came to an end with a 1-1 draw against Australia on Tuesday.
Despite dominating the match at Saitama Stadium, Japan’s nine-game winning streak was halted by a pair of own goals that underscored the unpredictability of football at the highest level.
Shocking Own Goals Shape the Match
Japan entered the game with a flawless defensive record, having not conceded a single goal in their nine qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. However, the streak was broken in unexpected fashion when Shogo Taniguchi’s misplaced clearance ended up in his own net, handing Australia an early lead.
Australia struggled to build on the momentum, with Japan controlling possession and creating several clear chances. The breakthrough for the Samurai Blue finally came in the 76th minute when Australia’s Cameron Burgess turned Keito Nakamura’s low cross into his own goal, bringing the scores level.
Hajime Moriyasu Praises Team’s Mental Resilience
While Hajime Moriyasu was visibly frustrated by the result, he emphasized the importance of his players’ response under pressure.
“I feel frustrated,” said Hajime Moriyasu, who famously guided Japan to the knockout stage of the 2022 World Cup. “We wanted the three points to reward our fans, but the players held their composure after conceding the own goal. They stayed calm and raised their level to fight back.”
Hajime Moriyasu admitted that the draw was a reminder of the intense challenges in the final stage of World Cup qualifying. “We were perfect so far, not conceding a goal in the qualifiers, but this game showed that things don’t always go our way. The key is how we respond in moments like this.”
Group C Race Heats Up
Despite the draw, Japan remains in control of Group C, sitting at the top with 10 points from four matches. Australia, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain all follow with five points each, making the race for the group’s two automatic spots for the 2026 World Cup a fierce battle.
Japan’s next test comes on November 15, when they travel to Jakarta to face Indonesia. The Indonesian side, who drew their first three qualifiers, suffered their first loss on Tuesday with a narrow 2-1 defeat to China.
Eyes on the Future
Hajime Moriyasu urged his players to take the draw as a lesson for the matches ahead. “This was a reminder that winning at this level is never easy,” he said. “Australia challenged us, and we need to be fully prepared for the tough matches ahead. It’s crucial we take things one game at a time.”
With the road to North America tightening, Japan knows every point will matter in their quest for an eighth consecutive World Cup appearance. Hajime Moriyasu remains confident in his squad’s ability to respond, stating: “We’ll learn from this result, regroup, and be ready for the next battle.”
