Socceroos fans hit out at ‘farcical’ pre-match scenes as a heartbreaking Cam Burgess own goal sees Aussies settle for 1-1 draw vs Japan

The Socceroos let slip a 1-0 lead over Japan through a heartbreaking Cam Burgess own goal but desperately held on for a crucial 1-1 draw in their crucial World Cup qualifier in Saitama.

Australia were on course to claim their first win over the Samurai Blue in Japan after a horror own goal from Shogo Tanaguchi in the 58th minute gave the Socceroos the most unlikely lead in front of 58,730 fans at Saitama Stadium.

Tanaguchi inexplicably tried to clear a Lewis Miller cross with the outside of his right boot instead of using his left boot, and sliced ​​the ball past goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.

But 18 minutes later, Burgess smashed Keito Nakamura’s square ball into his own net, with the Socceroos having to defend desperately to hold on to their first point in Japan since 2013.

But some had questioned on social media why the match had not been postponed after the Soccerroos were delayed in reaching the stadium.

Cameron Burgess’s second-half own goal saw the Roos give away the lead after being the beneficiary of an own goal in the first half

Tony Popovic’s team has five points from the first four games and is currently second in Group C, behind Japan

Before kick-off, a traffic incident had occurred on the highway, leaving Tony Popovic’s team in a stalemate for more than two hours.

The team’s arrival was subsequently delayed, arriving just an hour before kick-off, with Australia having just 28 minutes to warm up prior to the match.

Paramount+ commentator Robbie Thomson provided an update on the match prior to the match.

He told the broadcaster: ‘The match commissioner has refused to delay kick-off despite a request from the Japanese delegation saying: ‘This is really not fair to the Australian team. We don’t want to play this match as if it will be like this for them.”

“That appeal was rejected,” he added, before stating: “This is a crazy situation for such a crucial match.”

Journalist Vince Rugari called the lack of postponement on X (formerly Twitter) ‘scandalous’.

“It is absolutely outrageous that this game has not been postponed. Despite the fact that Japan will probably crush us here, it’s downright outrageous. Got their warm-up in 30 minutes before KO. The AFC has a lot to answer for… but of course they never will #JPNvAUS.”

Considering the permutations of this game, several others online have made the decision.

But there were controversial scenes before a ball had even been kicked, with Australia arriving late to the stadium and having just 28 minutes to warm up.

Some took to social media, including journalist Vince Rugari, to brand the incident “outrageous.”

“The fact that Japan asked for a delay is the biggest joke,” one person wrote in response.

Another wrote: ‘Football clubs getting 35 minutes before kick-off from arriving at the stadium is an absolute farce. The AFC even rejected Japan’s request to postpone the match in fairness to Australia. Props to Japan, but this is a 1-0 AUS win, let’s go.’

After the game, Jackson Irvine spoke out about the pre-game delay.

“It is what it is,” he said. “When the circumstances are beyond your control, it becomes simple: you just have to do it. I can’t say enough about all our stuff because of the way they prepared us. They gave us the best opportunity to perform tonight and we did it.”

Had Australia maintained their lead, it would have been their first-ever win over Japan

Australia have five points from their first four matches and are currently second in Group C behind Japan (10 points), pending other results – with the top two teams qualifying directly for the 2026 World Cup.

The Socceroos are back in action on November 14 in a big match against Saudi Arabia at Melbourne’s AAMI Park.

After a late booking in Japan, Craig Goodwin is suspended from the match.