The Socceroos need to beat Japan when the pair clash in Sydney on Thursday night to keep their hopes of automatic World Cup qualification alive.
Australia have managed to win just one of their last five matches to slip to third in group standings.
Japan are currently second and three points clear of the Socceroos with two qualifiers remaining.
The Sporting News has everything you need to know about the match below.
Socceroos vs Japan live score, updates and highlights
| Team | First half | Second half | Final score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 0 | ||
| Japan | 0 |
7': The Socceroos get forward dangerously on the counter but Awer Mabil's cross is easily dealt with.
1': Japan get a shot away inside 30 seconds as Australia start in shaky fashion.
Kick-off: We are underway in Sydney!
Pre-game: Kick-off is less than 10 minute away with both teams making their way out on to the pitch. Some light rain hanging around.
Pre-game: Socceroos coach Graham Arnold will be on the sidelines tonight after returning a negative Covid test today. He was fined $25,000 this week by Football Australia after breaking isolation rules having tested positive for Covid-19 last Thursday.
Pre-game: It's been a wet day in Sydney with more rain and thunderstorms looming on the radar tonight.
Pre-game: Both sides have arrived in Sydney without a number of key players. Australia are most notably without Aaron Mooy and Tom Rogic, while Japan don't have Celtic duo Daizen Maeda or Kyogo Furuhashi to call upon.
Pre-game: Japan claimed a 2-1 win the last time these two sides met in October last year, can Australia flip the script tonight?
Socceroos vs Japan starting line-ups
📋 LINE-UPS | 🇦🇺 Australia 🆚 Japan 🇯🇵
— #AsianCup2023 (@afcasiancup) March 24, 2022
🤼♂️ Familiar foes go head-to-head in a massive Group 🅱️ matchup!
🧐 Can the Samurai Blue book their place at #Qatar2022 or will the Socceroos get the win they need?
📺 Watch 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲: https://t.co/aJZacn5PEa#AsianQualifiers | #AUSvJPN pic.twitter.com/9ogQMfnVpq
How to watch Socceroos vs Japan in Australia
The Socceroos' game against Australia will be broadcast on television via Channel 10 (10 Bold in WA) and streamed online via 10 Play and Paramount Plus.
10 Play is available via the App Store and Google Play with the platform also accessible via Apple TV, Android TV, Freeview, Fetch, Samsung and Telstra TV.
Paramount+ meanwhile offers free seven-day trials with monthly subscriptions costing $8.99 and A-Leagues' clubs offering yearly discounted deals as part of membership packs.
Simon Hill and Andy Harper are expected to be calling the action.
