Japan coach Vahid Halilhodzic's decision to sit back and try to hit Australia on the break on Tuesday certainly had its effect, taking the Socceroos players by complete surprise.
"Knowing Japan in the past, and the players that they have, I didn't expect it to be that extreme," Australia defender Matthew Spiranovic said after the 1-1 draw at Etihad Stadium — the fifth draw in eight meetings between the two sides in World Cup qualifying.
"With the players they've got, the (Keisuke) Hondas, the (Shinji) Kagawas and the midfielders they've got, I don't think they would like to be retreating behind the ball and chasing it. But it's normal away from home. They scored first and they were happy to do that.