By Shintaro Kano, KYODO NEWS - Aug 28, 2017 - 22:33 | Sports, All

There's a tremendous amount at stake for both teams in Thursday's World Cup qualifier between Japan and Australia.

But while Japan coach Vahid Halilhodzic seems anything but relaxed going into the Group B showdown, his Australian counterpart, Ange Postecoglou, is taking in the pressure with posture, saying the Socceroos have "a great deal of confidence."

"These are the games you want to be involved in," Postecoglou said at a reception at the Australian Embassy in Tokyo on Monday. "From our perspective, we're really looking forward to it."

"We'd much rather be in this position than sort of being an observer and watching two other teams fight it out. Bring it on, we're looking forward to a big game."

"I think from the outside people look at it and see pressure but for anyone involved, whether you're a coach or player, you love these occasions. When the whistle goes, it's in the hands of the players out there but we've got a great deal of confidence."

Australia need four points from their last two games against Japan and Thailand at home on Sept. 5 to qualify for next year's World Cup in Russia.

Australia are currently third in the group, one point behind leaders Japan, who can punch their ticket to their sixth successive World Cup with victory over Australia. Saudi Arabia are in second, ahead of Australia on goal difference.

Postecoglou's men drew 1-1 with Japan in Melbourne in October last year, when the visitors sat in their own half to play for a point, contrary to Australia's expectations.

Postecoglou said while there were plenty of points to still play for when the two sides met last fall, Thursday's game carries on an entirely different meaning, with the result proving critical to the qualification chances of both nations.

The manager said the important thing will be to adjust as the match unfolds, something the Asian champions have learned to do.

"We've tried to work on the basis that as a team we want to be tactically flexible and be prepared for every scenario that occurs, whether it's Thursday night or any other game," he said.

"The last 24 months, we've evolved our game so that if a team does set up against us, we're quite comfortable with possession. If they push on or try and put us under pressure, we're equally comfortable trying to play out."

"It's more about the players being aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition. It's a different game; everything's on the line this game. Pressure does funny things."

"This one obviously has a whole different connotation around it. I'm confident that we will be on the boat."

For Postecoglou, who replaced Holger Osieck after the team qualified for the 2014 World Cup, the Japan game could make or break the growth cycle he started in the months leading up to Brazil.

"We've been thinking about this game when the campaign started three years ago. That's the progression we've tried to have with this team," he said. "It's not some magic formula we come up with just for this game. It's something we're building towards."