Australia coach Holger Osieck has hailed Alberto Zaccheroni's side, saying the current Japanese team is the best in the nation's history.
Ahead of Tuesday's World Cup qualifier between the two sides, the former Urawa Reds boss sang the praises of the Asian champions, describing them as the most talented Japanese team he has ever seen.
Osieck's side lost to Japan in the 2011 Asian Cup final, 1-0 in extra time, and the progress the Blue Samurai have made since then has raised the eyebrows of the former assistant coach of 1990 World Cup winner West Germany.