Japan beat Australia to book 2018 World Cup spot

Australia's hopes of direct entry to the 2018 World Cup will come down to the final matchday after a 2-0 loss in their penultimate AFC qualifying game against Japan in Saitama on Thursday night.

Japan scored goals in both halves to book their place at next year's tournament in Russia. They dominated Australia for large periods of the match to inflict a first defeat on Ange Postecoglou's side in the third-round campaign. 

Bullish about their chances before the match, and predicting the Samurai Blue would crumble under the pressure, the Socceroos were dealt a huge blow when Premier League star Aaron Mooy was ruled out with sickness.

The 26-year-old had made a cracking start to the new season with Huddersfield Town, but woke up feeling ill on the morning of the match.

Postecoglou also started Robbie Kruse up front instead of Tomi Juric, who was under a fitness cloud after taking a knock in his last club game. and failed to train with the team all week.

Australia dominated possession, enjoying 60 percent of the ball, but did precious little with it, losing the battle for territory.

The home side were also far slicker going forward, taking 18 shots to just five and converting their chances when they came.

The Japanese scored in the 41st minute through Takuma Asano to take a 1-0 lead after Brad Smith lost his marker.

The goal came less than two minutes after Mathew Leckie's deflected shot hit the Japanese post.

The home side secured the victory in the 82nd minute, thanks to a sensational long-range strike form Yosuke Ideguchi, locking Japan's ticket to Russia in the process.

The Socceroos, who are tied on 16 points with Saudi Arabia, will play Thailand in Melbourne on Tuesday in the final round of qualifiers.

They will need a big win, and hope for a favourable result when Japan travel to Jeddah to play Saudi Arabia.

Although both nations are on 16 points, the Saudis have a two-goal advantage over the Aussies, who now face the prospect of having to make to Russia through two sets of playoffs. 

Japan have appeared in every World Cup finals since 1998.