'Utterly diabolical': Aussies rage over 'pathetic' Socceroos controversy

The Socceroos and their fans have been left to ponder what might have been after a ruthless Japan ended the home side's hopes of automatic World Cup qualification with a 2-0 win on a rain-soaked Thursday night in Sydney.

Japan substitute Kaoru Mitoma popped up with goals in the 89th and 94th minute at Accor Stadium to book his country's direct route to the finals in Qatar.

'DEEPLY SADDENED': Tragic details emerge after Aussie star's death

TAKE A BOW: David Beckham's incredible act for Ukrainian doctor

The 2-0 defeat means the Socceroos can't finish higher than third in Group B, regardless of the result in next week's match against Saudi Arabia - who alongside Japan have already qualified for the World Cup in Qatar.

Australia will face a one-off sudden death match against Group A's third-placed team (currently UAE), with the winner needing to beat South America's fifth-placed team over two legs to book their tickets to the Qatar showpiece later in the year.

In fairness, Japan were the better team across the 90 minutes in Sydney on Thursday night, with the Socceroos' goal leading a charmed life after the crossbar came to their rescue on more than one occasion.

However, the Socceroos and their fans must be wondering what effect a controversial disallowed first half goal for the hosts, would have had on the rest of the match.

In the only moment when the ball did find the back of the net in the first 45 minutes, Bahraini referee Nawaf Shukralla ruled the goal out after what was a very harsh foul against Trent Sainsbury.

The Aussie defender rose to challenge Japan's Shuichi Gonda at a corner, with the visiting keeper mistiming his leap as he completely missed the ball.

The ball ended up in Japan's goal after what appeared to be an own goal by Miki Yamane at the back post, but it was contensiously ruled out.

Sainsbury's challenge on the goalkeeper - despite the most minimal contact on the Aussie's part - was deemed to be illegal.

The decision was greeted by a chorus of oud boos from the crowd, with commentators and viewers also venting their frustrations.

Ten commentator Andy Harper described the referee's call as a “blunder” and Fox Sports commentator Brenton Speed added: “Referees who look for any reason to give fouls against teams with attacking set-pieces … killing the game for 25 years. Nawaf Shakrallah buying into the Australian ‘overly physical’ cliche.”

The contact on the keeper from Sainsbury was light and Arnold said the decision was reflective of Australia's campaign.

"I haven't seen it back and there's quite a few texts saying it was contentious and 50/50," he said.

"At the end of the day we haven't seemed to have got many of these decisions in this campaign."

Ruthless Japan expose Socceroos shortcomings

That controversy aside, the visitors dominated Australia from start to finish and could have finished with five or six goals as they inflicted the Socceroos' first live World Cup qualifier loss on home soil in 40 years.

Graham Arnold, who returned to the dugout after spending time in COVID-19 isolation, must now steer a side through the intercontinental play-offs to get to Qatar.

Australia lacked any creativity and it was only through scrambling defence that they were able to keep Liverpool's Takumi Minamino at bay after he hit the woodwork twice.

"We played a very defensive team in Japan and we didn't get the result we wanted," Arnold said.

"The effort was fantastic but tying up third place and having that play-off like we did in 2018... it's always difficult to qualify for a World Cup.

"We've got to brush ourselves off and we'll learn a lot from tonight."

While Japan and Saudi Arabia are now qualified directly, Australia face a dead rubber match away to Saudi Arabia in Jeddah next week before facing the third-placed team in Group A - either Syria, Lebanon or UAE.

But, even if the Socceroos navigate that tricky path and beat South America's fifth-placed team, this is a team that is limping towards the finish line with just one win in six.

They were consistently overstretched defensively and their best chance of each half came from a cross lumped into the ineffective Mitchell Duke and from Ajdin Hrustic firing a free-kick at Japanese goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda in the second.

Melbourne City youngster Marco Tilio entered the fray in the second half and he looked the most likely of any Socceroos player to conjure anything.

But it was another substitute, Mitoma, who made the difference. A ball was cut back from the byline and the 23-year-old fizzed a bobbling ball past Mat Ryan to put Japan ahead.

Arnold looked to the sky and then a second came late into stoppage time as Mitoma weaved through a sea of static Australian defenders from the left.

He fired at Ryan who didn't have enough to prevent the ball from trickling into the goal.

with AAP

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.