Having conceded only two goals and scoring at an average of three per match, Hajime Moriyasu’s side has stormed to the top of Group C with two games remaining.
As the first non-host nation to qualify, Japan are set for their eighth consecutive World Cup finals appearance, aiming to build on their promising campaign in Qatar.
To keep momentum going, Moriyasu’s men will be eager to maintain their undefeated run in the last two games—starting with Australia and ending with a home fixture against Indonesia in Suita next Tuesday.
After completing a training camp in the UAE, coach Tony Popovic has a 26-man squad at his disposal, including several returning from injury.
Parma centre-back Alessandro Circati has recovered from an ACL injury suffered last September. He rejoins alongside Middlesbrough’s Riley McGree and Connor Metcalfe of St Pauli.
Metcalfe’s teammate, Jackson Irvine, remains sidelined after foot surgery.
Meanwhile, Kasey Bos and Benfica youngster Paul Okon-Engstler—son of Socceroos legend Paul Okon—have both received their first senior call-ups.
Okon-Engstler played a key role in Australia’s recent AFC U-20 Asian Cup triumph.
Up front, Brandon Borrello, Mitch Duke, and Adam Taggart are expected to compete for a starting role, while questions remain over who will lead Japan’s attack.
With qualification already secured, Moriyasu has opted to rest many key players, instead calling up several fresh faces.
European-based stars like Kaoru Mitoma, Ao Tanaka, Ko Itakura, Ayase Ueda, and Hidemasa Morita are all left out, making way for seven debutants.
Still, two experienced veterans have been retained: 38-year-old full-back Yuto Nagatomo could earn his 143rd international cap, while captain Wataru Endo is expected to anchor the midfield.
Predicted Starting XI – Australia:
Ryan; Geria, Burgess, Degenek; Miller, Teague, O'Neill, Behich; McGree, Boyle; Borrello
Predicted Starting XI – Japan:
Z. Suzuki; Seko, Machida, Takai; Morishita, Fujita, Endo, Nakamura; Kubo, Kamada; Machino
