Would set us up very nicely.  It's getting to a point where between Australia and Saudi Arabia it's a case of who blinks first.  Winning this would put the pressure back onto Saudi Arabia as they have also been very good in qualifying.  

Desperately hope we get to play SA at home - they lose a lot when they travel a long way.

I expect us to qualify but there'll be twists and turns yet. Two or more points from the next two games will set us up nicely but really need some draws in other games to reduce the points in the mix.

I said before this round of qualifying that we would qualify, and go at least as far as the 2006 WC. I think the playing in Qatar, the earlier hub for the second round in June, have all come together with an improved technical group of players to give us a real chance at going deep into the WC next year. Picking up FIFA points is a part of that, getting into the third pot would be grand.

Really pleased with the development of Mabil up front. His early goals have been a stand out for the Chinese and Omani games. Interested to see how he fares tonight. Without his impact we lacked forward thrust against Vietnam. Was that a one off, or more to come?

As said by others, would have Rogic come off the bench. What a luxury to have him and Duke to threaten opposition goals late in a game.

If we had Degenek available, I reckon the 3-5-2 would have been a possibility. Even then I wouldn't be surprised if Arnie goes for that with McGowan lining up as a CB. He's not afraid to change it up, ala vs Egypt at the Olympics. I'm not a huge fan, but solely for the reason I associate it with Arnie being overly cautious, especially when we play a good team like Japan. So wouldn't be surprised if we line up like this:

‐---------------------------Ryan----------------------------
------------McGowan--Souttar--Sains------------
Karacic------------------------------------------Behich
------------------Irvine-------Hrustic------------------
-------------------------Rogic-----------------------------
---------------Boyle---------Mabil--------------------

Hope we remain positive and stick to whichever formation/players that allows us to play positively. Wouldn't be surprised to see Mooy in for Rogic and then Taggart/Duke for McGowan paving way for the 4-3-3. 

I’d be pleased with that starting line-up although would prefer Mooy over Rogic at the start. Not having Degenek available is quite a loss. If we are tied with 20 to go does Arnie play for the draw or bring on Rogic and Arzani and go for the win? 

Definitely hope so, it'll be critical in the group, but such short notice.

Hopefully the change of premier in NSW makes it more rather than less likely as he wants to be seen as the guy who opened everything up.

CH,  get a bit more optimistic please.
I highly doubt GA would allow any feelings/thoughts underrating them, facts speak for themselves and they'd know haven't won there since 94, that not recent poor form but ancient and in their shoes would be inspiring me like mad to change the tide.
With 20 to go playing for the draw we'd be dying by the sword imo, they won't stop till the final whistle and they sure will be better than who we've faced to date.
If we got badly pumped like your saying I'll be struggling to lift my jaw from the ground.

Definitely can't see a pumping, unless it's us that does it.

They could be quite brittle tonight with the pressure, expectation and coach's jeopardy. One goal could screw their brains and open the floodgates.

More likely to be a very close game with maybe just the one goal. Hopefully not a penalty (unless we get it). BTW, who is taking penalties with McClaren out of the squad?

Literally nothing.

Two players having a few words to each other like happens on every team ever in high stakes environments.

Why play so defensive? If ever there’s a time to take it to Japan in Japan this is the one. They’re on the ropes here. Hopefully Arnie doesn’t fall into the same trap as the Egypt Olympics games and sit back. We’re Australia, take it to em!!

Probably Boyle 

The nerves are starting. Probably our biggest game in over 3 yrs. Not only because it's Japan, but win this one & we're along way towards qualifying

What time is Socceroos v Japan?

The game kicks-off at 9.14pm AEDT, which is 8.14pm in Brisbane, 8.44pm in Adelaide, 7.44pm in Darwin, and 6.14pm in Perth.

How to watch Socceroos v Japan

The game will be shown on Network Ten's 10 Bold and streaming service 10 Play. You can also follow all the action with ABC Sport journalist Simon Smale on the ABC live blog at abc.net.au/sport

I'd go so far as to say that if we win this we're home and hosed... Japan won't catch up 9 points over six rounds and no-one else is capable of catching us.

But let's not get too far ahead of ourselves (not that it matters to the players what I think or say).

Sleeping in Ainthorpe Yorkshire in a pub. I'll watch on my phone. I'll have a scene with the locals like on the big short where he sells millions of stock. I.e, the locals won't know what's going on.

Avoid defeat main thing but I want to see some bite and playing on our terms.

Who knows? Maybe the Japanese players are so disconnected from the coach they hardly want to play for him. There's a slight change up in generations but they're top notch with arguably even better potential than the one just gone. Interesting times. 

Karačić and Mooy back into the XI as Mabil and Grant make way.

Same, quite nervous. So much to play for.  Ok, I am changing my tune from a few hours earlier and want us to send out an attacking line up and pin the ears back … no doubt by kickoff I will have changed my mind again. I so enjoy watching the Socceroos. Have done since the 1980s! It just seems to get better every game. 

Ok, you’ve convinced me. Let’s get at them and be confident! 

Team in       
                        Ryan
Karacic Sainsbury Souttar Behich
                Irvine Mooy
      Boyle    Rogic    Hrustic
                   Taggart 

Just an idea of how they might line up. Maybe Boyle up top with Taggart. Keeping everyone central should hopefully force Japan to play on wings. 

Team in       
                        Ryan
Karacic Sainsbury Souttar Behich
                Irvine Mooy
      Boyle    Rogic    Hrustic
                   Taggart 

Just an idea of how they might line up. Maybe Boyle up top with Taggart. Keeping everyone central should hopefully force Japan to play on wings. 

Arzani not in squad. Silly to have brought him now in hindsight. 

Its on 10 bold any way of watching this in HD? 

I initially saw it as a diamond midfield but you could be right there. Think Hrustic on the wing is a bit of a waste though.

10Bold is HD I believe.

Isn’t 10 Bold now HD ?

I was thinking a 442 for the same reason but yeah, that's probably right.

Yes.

10 Bold has been upgraded to a HD channel across Australia, which means your TV might need to be re-tuned. Here's a how-to guide, so you don't miss a second of the Socceroos: https://bit.ly/3lschy8

You can also catch all of the action streaming live on 10 Play here: https://10play.com.au/live/bold

If Hrustic is in the centre, then Rogic can feed Behich down the wing which would be good.