Japan tipped to roll Australia in first-qualifier quest
Zaccheroni urges 'perfect preparation' against regional rivals 'who have their backs to the wall'
Asian champions Japan face hot regional rivals Australia tonight, needing just a point to become the first nation to qualify for next year's World Cup alongside hosts Brazil.
In a rematch of the 2011 Asian Cup final that Japan won, the Blue Samurai are strongly tipped to book their ticket after totting up 13 points in six games to sit six clear in Group B.
By contrast, third-placed Australia have only six points from five games and face a nerve-shredding fortnight, today, when they will play their last three matches of the final round of Asian qualifying.
"I expect Australia to fight desperately to take the automatic qualification place. We must prepare perfectly to face Australia, who have their backs to the wall," warned Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni.
Only the top two in the two final qualifying groups gain an automatic berth, with the two third-placed sides then facing each other for the right to contest an inter-continental play-off.
Japan, fronted by Manchester United's Shinji Kagawa and CSKA Moscow talisman Keisuke Honda, have won all three of their home games in group B, scoring 10 goals in the process, to stand on the verge of their fifth straight World Cup.