It's strange that this game is the first one tomorrow as it seems it should be the last one. For some reason the schedule is not so chronological for the bottom 4 groups.

 

i dunno who will win, maybe a 0-0 dont know them to well, but australia has a tuff team and tactics

 

i just cant pick a result..iv nervous thinking about that match.Harry should start.eveyone is fit which is fantastic.We just need to do the job now!

C"MOOOOON AUSTRALIA!

 

Turmoil in japan dressing room. For this reason I give it the roos...2-1

Go Dingo's!!!!!

 

The Aussies finaly make their return and are out to prove they wont be happy just to be there, while the Japanese are out to prove they can just as good as the Koreans.

I see a hard fought battle, with the Aussies edging Japan 2-1.

Koreans were never good...the refs were good to them. Biggest scandal world cup as ever seen. I called it Japan/korea World Crap 2002

 

We have to win this game, its so important

 

We need at least a draw to have realistic hopes of going through to the next one. It gonna be a tough game. 1-1 or 2-1 to the aussies.

 

5:0 for us :shades:

 

i hopr your not being too serious. We can't take these guys lightly.

 

Fingers crossed.

 

50:50 match i reckon.

 

I'll put my bet on Japan.

 

will Cahill start?

 

I think Japan will win it for some reason, I'd take certain aussie individuals but I like the Japan team more. Zico must have added more to their game since I last saw them too.

 

My pet is also on Japan, I really liked their play against Germany. Looked like new Greece. then again, I never seen Australia to play.

 

Japan lost to Malta the other day though, they seem a side that you don't bet your house on. :lala:

 

Since Hiddink took over, we have only lost one game which was to Uruguay 1-0, Hiddink's been with us for 9 (I think) games and only have had 1 draw, agains't Holland 1-1. It's not like we are in bad form.

I'd predict a 1-0 win, considering the past scorelines of recent matches.

 

Japan lost to Malta the other day though, they seem a side that you don't bet your house on. :lala:

They defeated Malta 1-0

I think Japan is one of the most entertaining teams at the World Cup, so I hope they will do well. They are unfortunately very ineffective in front of goal.

I think Japan will dominate against Australia but they will only manage to get a draw. 1-1.

 

Japan are a potential darkhorse. They have a very dangerous side like shown against Germany. Australia have the quality and Hiddink but I don't think anyone can say they will be surprised if the result goes eitherway.

 

They defeated Malta 1-0

:embarass:

my point still stands though, Malta are pony. :stuckup:

 

GO THE AUSSIES. I am watching the match at an Aussie Pub in Hong Kong tonight and the atmosphere should be fantastic (I was in Sydney when they qualified and it was a surreal moment).

Does anyone know what the likely starting line-up could be. Hiddink has been using 3-4-3, 4-3-3 and 4-5-1 formations (although the 4-5-1 and the 4-3-3 are very similar in that the flank strikers play deeper in the 4-5-1).

The 3-4-3 would be:

---------------Schwarzer-------------

-------Moore---Popovic----Neil--------

Emerton---Grella---Cahill---Chipperfield/
Lazaridis
----Kennedy-------------Bresciano/---
Kewell
---------------Viduka/-----------------
Alosoisi

The 4-3-3 would be:

-------------Schwarzer--------------

Emerton---Popovic---Neil--Chipperfield

--------Grella---Neil---Culina---------

----Kennedy----Viduka----Bresciano---

The 4-5-1 would be:

-------------Schwarzer--------------

Emerton---Popovic---Neil--Chipperfield

--------Grella---Neil---Culina---------
---Bresciano--------------Kewell-----
---------------Viduka----------------

Either way, there is no denying that Australia not only is a good team but they actually have some depth.

Goalkeepers - 2 really good ones Schwarzer and Kalac
Midfield - Lazaridis (under-rated player in the EPL) and Sterjovski (who has impressed me in the friendlies)
Forwards - Kewell will be a sub (say no more); Archie Thompson (doing well for PSV) and Aloisi (good striker in the Primera Liga)

On paper, I have no doubt that Australia is actually the better team. With a coach like Hiddink, anything is possible. The only issue is that Hiddink has been a part time coach and the Australian team have not really had enough time to gel properly....which is why I think Australia will be a slow starter in this tournament and improve as time goes on.....I expect a draw against Japan.....a loss against Brazil and a win against croatia which may be enough for them to go through.

 

I'll talk up Japan a little since alot people here seem to be rooting for Australia.

This will be a midfield battle, both teams have their strong points there. I saw Japan in person when they played the United States a few months ago (result was 3-2 in favor of the USA), and I must say their defending is circumspect. The exception is Alessandro Santos (Alex), who is a very solid left-back who can get forward and attack as well and could very well start on the left wing. I expect him and Emerton to be having some battles on that side of the pitch. I don't know much else about who stands out, as Akira Kaji is injured and I would guess Nakazawa could start at right back and we can see the captain, Tsuneyasu Miyamoto at center-back along with perhaps Yuichi Komano. Also, Japan seems like they could play with three defenders in which case I could say Nakazawa, Miyamoto, and Komano would be up there.

Their midfield is strong and deep with two Nakatas (Koji and Hidetoshi), Nakamura, Inamoto, Shinji Ono, Fukunishi, and Yasuhito Endo. There are a few more midfielders in the squad, but all of these guys are good. Alex can also play on the left-wing.

In attack the man to watch out for would be Naohiro Takahara, who plays for HSV. The ideal partnership for him would be Atsushi Yanagisawa, and he is back in trainingafter a foot injury, but it looks like he will start.

My predicted lineup (3-5-2):

Takaara-Yanagisawa
Alex-Fukunishi-H. Nakata-Inamoto-Ono
Miyamoto-Komano-Nakazawa
Kawaguchi​

 

Japan lost to Malta the other day though, they seem a side that you don't bet your house on. :lala:

Jern jern jern. Have you ever said anything what is true? But indeed, I wouldn't bet my house on it, I wouldn't bet it on anyone, despite of not having a house in teh first place.

 

:embarass:

my point still stands though, Malta are pony. :stuckup:

LOL! Brilliant. :howler: Don't knock Malta, they'd give us a game. "Oh, I stubbed my toe, and it was hot, and the sun was in our eyes, and birds flying around distracted us."

Kat - Awww... you sure you won't pet anyone? :hopefull:

 

I m sure I will. I am notorious of making such mistakes.