Japan has had 71 per cent possession.

Six shots to Australia’s one.

But, the most important statistic is the one at the top.

Japan 0-0 Australia.

A good half from the Aussies.

For all Japan’s dominance the Blue Samurai they have only had one shot on target, which was barely worth the honour so comfortably was it dealt with by Joe Gauci.

It’s been tough for the Aussies to get a handle on the game, but they are doing their job and holding this brilliant Japanese side at bay for now.

Lovely from Doan in the middle of the pitch, finding Kubo on the right side, who whips a low cross in that is, once again, dealt with by the Socceroos defence, which is holding firm at the moment.

Lewis Miller is under all sorts of pressure at the moment, from Mitoma and Minamino, who work their trickery once again and fashion a ball from their region into the penalty area, where the Socceroos clear.

The trickery and technique of these Japanese wingers – on both sides of the pitch – is mesmerising.

More brilliance from Mitoma this time.

He has got Lewis Miller on toast at the moment and whips another cross in.

This time it falls to Ueda, who clambers all over the giant Harry Souttar to get up to get his head on it – and gives away a free kick as a result.

Oh that’s more lovely stuff on the right from Kubo.

He controls the ball so well, touching it inside for Doan to race onto into the penalty area, but he gets the ball caught under his feet and the Socceroos clear.

I promise I won’t do that again…

Mitoma gets the ball on the left side of the pitch, cuts inside and curls a shot towards the Socceroos goal, but it comes of Geria’s shoulder and behind for a corner.

Gauci was at full stretch there and ,had it not got a deflection, it would have been very interesting…

Then, from the corner, Shogo Taniguchi was ever so close to getting on the end of a scuffed shot!

Two dangerous moments for the Socceroos.

Say it quietly, because otherwise it will echo across Saitama stadium, where it is very, very quiet at the moment.

The Socceroos are doing enough here, Japan not having clear cut chances.

Oh my, hold that thought Ken – Jordan Bos has flown up field with a wonderful driving run towards the penalty area.

He gets there too, and goes down, but it was as a result of a phenomenal last-ditch tackle from the Japanese defence.

That was a wonderful moment though, for the Socceroos.

This bloke is, Ken.

As you can see though, he is pretty well covered at the moment…

Mitch Duke went down after a little tangle with Taniguchi, who trod on his heel.

Duck and Irvine are furious as the referee tells him to get up and that no free kick will be awarded.

It didn’t look like much to be honest.

Falcon for Geria.

That will be a bit sore as the Socceroos defender gets smashed on the bonce with the ball.

The Socceroos had cleared a corner through the gigantic bonce of Harry Souttar, but have to do so again after that facial intervention by Geria.

The cross is swept in and Taniguchi heads over.

That looked a mismatch, and it was.

Souttar left no prisoners in collecting the diminutive Japanese forward but pleads his case with the referee regardless.

Bratten loses the ball to Kubo, who alongside Doan turns defence into attack at frankly alarming pace.

Kubo whips another cross in that’s half dealt with, Tanaka tries to put the ball goalwards but shanks his kick.

And then Ayase Ueda tries an overhead kick.

His foot catches Jackson Irvine, who makes the most of it and it’s a free kick.

Oh my what a touch, sublime from Kubo, in stride after a long ball from Itakura.

He bursts past Bos, with Burgess flies across and makes sure the Japanese flier can’t get a shot away.

The corner is not the best and is dealt with very nicely by the Socceroos defence.

Lovely footwork from Kubo.

He advanced into the right side of the penalty area, shifted positions, and whipped the ball across, but Souttar was there to clear.

Japan keep the pressure up though, first through Minamino on the left side, then a wild, deep cross from Doan that is far too deep and goes behind for a throw in, in fact.

It’s a decent one from Kubo, swept to the back post and but for a better connection, Australia might have had their goal threatened there.

Instead, it’s an easy gather for Gauci.

The Japanese crowd, meanwhile, continues to sing its support.

Poor ball to give away there and Japan pounce.

Kaoru Mitoma gets down the left and sweeps a cross in that is cleared by Souttar.

A chant of “Nippon” rings around Saitama Stadium.

The game has settled. And so have the Socceroos.

Quietening the crowd is going to be huge in this contest, and if the Aussies can do that, they’ll go a long way to stopping the Japanese from enjoying the upper hand.

The Socceroos are not afraid to work the ball out from the back and are moving it nicely in the congested spaces of midfield too.

Ajdin Hrustic is down, Tony Popovic is blowing up.

The challenge looked quite soft, but on replay he did get caught as he fell by a shin to the back of the head.

Accidental, but would have still hurt a bit.

The Socceroos are listed as played 3-4-3.

However, with Japan in possession there is a flat back five of Bos, Burgess, Souttar, Geria and Miller, with Brattan and Irvine holding in front.

That’s how the Socceroos are going to try and frustrate the Japanese, who are already enjoying plenty of possession.

We’re 10 minutes in and it’s currently 81 per cent to Japan…