- Socceroos earned 1-1 draw despite being heavy underdogs
- Australian team also encountered drama before the kick-off
- Next in action against Saudi Arabia on November 14
The Socceroos won plenty of admirers following a gritty 1-1 draw with Japan in their World Cup qualifier on Tuesday – but some Aussie fans were furious to find the game day coverage was not available on free-to-air TV.
Channel 10 screened the Aussies’ recent 3-1 win over China PR in Adelaide – but only viewers who pay for the Paramount + subscription service were able to see live action from Saitama.
‘It would have been good if it was shown on free to air, so I could have watched it. You [Socceroos] want our support, but we have to pay to watch the game,’ fumed one supporter.
Another weighed in with: ‘Why were we not able to watch the Socceroos play Japan on free to air? I watched us play China a few days ago on free to air?
Sports journalist Scott Bailey added: ‘Socceroos World Cup qualifier behind a paywall. T20 World Cup behind a paywall. It’s not great.’
However, some fans defended the decision to hand over broadcast rights to Paramount, with one tweeting: ‘We’ve had Socceroos games locked and hidden on Foxtel for almost 10 years.’
In addition, X user Alex Mangovsky pointed out live, free-to-air coverage of Socceroos away matches had stopped ‘a while ago’.
The Socceroos won plenty of admirers following a gritty 1-1 draw with Japan in their World Cup qualifier on Tuesday night
However, some Aussie fans were furious to find the TV coverage was only on Paramount +
Other supporters pointed out that many Socceroos games over the past 10 years have only been available on Foxtel, not on free-to-air TV
In chaotic scenes, the Socceroos arrived at the ground very late due to traffic (pictured, coach Tony Popovic)
On the pitch, the Socceroos were chasing shadows at times versus the Samurai Blue – and didn’t register a shot on target.
A monumental upset appeared on the cards when Shogo Tanaguchi turned the ball into his own net just before the hour mark – only for Socceroos defender Cameron Burgess to do likewise in the 76th minute.
Fans also hit out at chaotic scenes just before the kickoff as the Aussies arrived at the ground very late due to traffic, with some supporters calling for the match to be delayed as a result.
Coach Tony Popovic was happy with a share of the spoils, with focus now turning to Australia’s next qualifying game against Saudi Arabia in Melbourne on November 14.
‘We had a lot of difficulties arriving here. We were told it would take 90 minutes, maximum. It took us two hours 15, so not ideal,’ he said.
‘The result, of course, is good for us. ‘In the current situation, coming to Japan, it’s their first goal that they conceded [in qualifying games].
‘They are an excellent team that’s been together for a very long time. And for us, we’ve had four training sessions together.’
If Australia had managed to hold on for a famous win, it would have been their first-ever victory on Japanese soil.
After four matches, Australia sit in second spot in their group with five points, ahead of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain on goal difference.
The top two teams from the group of six nations qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup.
