Degenek: There are two games separating us from going to a World Cup directly

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Subway Socceroos defender Milos Degenek said he is anticipating a tough but equally open game against Japan, regardless of their personnel.

With the likes of Takumi Minamino (AS Monaco) and Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton & Hove Albion) not selected by Japan having already secured FIFA World Cup 2026™ qualification, some have suggested it could be an 'easier' game - but Degenek swiftly rejected that sentiment.

Speaking to media in Perth ahead of Thursday night's clash, the versatile 31-year-old defender believes it will be just as difficult if not more so, given Japan will have players eager to prove a point and impress their head coach.

Taking nothing for granted

If we do get the win, hopefully we will [against Japan], we are obviously almost there. We'll have to wait and see how Bahrain go with Saudi Arabia. I think that will be done by two or three (o'clock) in the morning our time. The most important thing is that we win. We can obviously be happy inside and celebrate a little bit, but nothing too major because in the end, if Saudi win against Bahrain we're still three points clear, and we'll still have to go there and get a result there to be 100% safe at the World Cup. 

Knowing what's at stake

We've had a few chats so far with some of the boys that haven't been through it, and some of the boys who have been in camps and then have never gone through a qualifying process that it can be really hard. Especially the last one where we had the penalties [against Peru], and I guess the one before, where we had to play Honduras, was still very tough. It's never easy when you go to those knockout games. There's no easy game. But it's a lot easier if you qualify through the group stage directly. It's been hammered home and I think the boys know and they are well aware of the situation, that there are two games that are separating us from going to a World Cup.

No A or B Japan team

If I'm going to be really honest, I think it's even harder for us that those so-called stars are out, because the boys that are coming in, whether they're from the J1 League or other clubs in Europe, are going to want to prove to the boss that they should be there at the World Cup. 

So it's not going to be a walk in the park, and they're going to take this as serious, if not more serious than any other game, because they want to prove to their coach that they should be a part of that World Cup squad, because they will have, surely, a lot of those boys from Europe, like you say, the big stars that are going to go definitely to a World Cup. And these guys are probably there, trying to force their spot in that squad. So I think it's going to be really, really difficult. I think there's no B team or A team. I think it's one country, and we all know how good Japan is at football. 

Japan's style of play

From their style, probably a very possession-based and attacking-based side. I think they're very well-organised, very technical, very, very quick, very aggressive when they don't have the ball. I think it'll be a fairly open game and a very attractive game for the audience.

SUBWAY SOCCEROOS’ FIXTURES | JUNE FIFA MEN’S INTERNATIONAL WINDOW

Subway Socceroos v Japan
Thursday, 5 June 2025
Perth Stadium, Perth
Kick-off: 7.00pm local / 9.00pm AEST
Tickets: Available via Ticketmaster
Broadcast: 10, 10 Play and Paramount+

Saudi Arabia v Subway Socceroos
Tuesday 10 June 2025
King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah
Kick-off: 9.15pm local / 4.15am AEST
Broadcast: Paramount+