TOKYO - Three points in Melbourne on Tuesday - by a big margin - is the equation now for the Socceroos when they return to Australia to play Thailand after a 2-0 defeat in Saitama against Japan.

A late first-half goal from Asan Takuma, which caught Brad Smith napping at the far post, and a late thunderbolt from Yosuke Ideguchi meant the hosts became the first nation from Asia’s Group B to seal a spot at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, to a simply raucous response from the home fans, joining Iran at next year’s tournament.

Japan cannot be caught now in Group B, top on 20 points ahead of a trip to Saudi Arabia.

Critically, the Saudis, level on 16 points with Australia, and now with a superior goal difference of +6 to Australia’s + 4 after this defeat in Saitama, will know exactly what they need to do to edge Australia into the top two, because they play after the Socceroos’ clash with the Thais has concluded. It becomes imperative, therefore, that the Socceroos win well.

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It was a formidable display from the Samurai Blue at home; there’d been much criticism of Vlahid Halilhodzic’s style leading into the game, but with such a disciplined, intelligent defensive display it is hard to see how Japan fans will care with the spot in Russia.

There’s a reason Japan have only lost once at Saitama Stadium in 24 World Cup qualifiers, with the stadium, clad all in blue despite a small section in gold, creating hair raising noise from over an hour before kick-off. Takuma’s goal sparked a deafening noise.

The home ground advantage was clear from the off, with the hosts coming out of the blocks, and their supporters surged with them.

Australia, however, weathered the early storm before the game became an intriguing, tight, tense tactical showdown. The hosts threw the challenge down to their rivals to break them down, and were ready to pounce quickly in transition as well.

Robbie Kruse’s surprise inclusion provided the Socceroos with movement that threatened to stretch the Samurai Blue defence, but while Australia was composed in possession, the best chance fashioned in the first-half came via a shot from distance from Mathew Leckie that hit the post.

Australian players react to Japan's second goal. Source: AFP

Ultimately, while Kruse provided an outlet for the side, they struggled to create clear cut moments, with James Troisi and Tom Rogic well contained, with the former switched on the hour to bring Tomi Juric on to provide a focal point for Kruse and Rogic in behind him.

Japan, on the other hand, seized upon their momentum on the cusp of the break, with Asano Takuma punishing Smith with a brilliant run in behind to prod home off Yuto Nagatomo’s killer ball from the left.

It was much the same in the second period – engaging, absorbing, and ultimately, disappointing.

With their goal advantage, the hosts were content to continue to absorb and by the time Postecoglou had unleashed his two main strikers, Eiji Kawashima hadn’t truly been tested with a major save.

Juric started to pose another challenge for the hosts to contend with, Leckie was dangerous down the right and Kruse’s movement from deeper threatened and he shrugged off Nagatomo creating a huge chance with Juric lurking at the back post, and Tim Cahill, a 70th minute substitute to a healthy round of Japanese boos, in the mix as well.

Here’s how the game unfolded.

THE KEY MOMENTS

EARLY ONSLAUGHT, THEN COMPELLING

Hiroki Sakho threw himself at an early corner as Australia had to weather a blistering opening two minutes from the hosts.

Once Australia settled, it was compelling. When Australia had the ball, the hosts retreated, looking to transition extremely quickly when they won it back, and picking their moments carefully to press. But the Socceroos were looking as composed on the ball to start a World Cup qualifier as they have in a long time.

But it was Japan who created two more early half chances: Takashi Injui found himself in too much space on the right and curled a shot just wide of the far post. Then Sainsbury needed to be incredibly alert to shut down Yuya Osaka.

JAPAN TAKE THE HALF TIME LEAD AFTER ARM WRESTLE

Japan were willing to cede the ball to the Socceroos, with Australia only looking vulnerable when turning it over under pressure, exposed to Japan’s vibrant transition.

Massimo Luongo and Jackson Irvine were composed in the heart of the field, and after half an hour, the Socceroos started to pose their own questions – often thanks to Kruse’s movement, but also with Leckie’s intervention on the right.

Osaka forced a regulation save from Ryan, then Leckie struck the post with a deflected shot.

But after both sides enjoyed pockets of momentum, the Samurai Blue seized the moment.

Yuto Nagatomo curled a delightful ball from the left, with Smith left in the lurch as Takuma – who had been challenging him all half – snuck in behind to finish coolly.

START TO THE SECOND-HALF

It started with a half scare for the hosts when Maya Yoshida and keeper Kawashima almost had a mix up, as Kruse lurked to pounce on a quick pass from Leckie into the box.

Again, however, dominance ebbed and flowed in the most even, engaging of contests.

Leckie was involved soon after, getting himself into an attacking area, dinking a very dangerous ball to the back post.

He then had to show his defensive wherewithal in the 55th minute, tucking in almost onto the penalty spot to deny Inui the chance to latch onto cut-back from the byline.

Play by play.