Subway Socceroos striker Adam Taggart’s mind went straight to one iconic moment as he tried to emphasise the importance of Thursday night’s World Cup qualifier against Japan to his mum.
That penalty scored by John Aloisi in 2005.
Twenty years ago, Aloisi’s penalty shoot-out strike rippled the back of the net at Stadium Australia to vanquish Uruguay and send Australia to the 2006 FIFA Men’s World Cup.
Two decades later, the Socceroos are on a quest to book their spot in a sixth-straight World Cup; a win against Japan at Optus Stadium will all but secure that impressive feat.
As Taggart prepares for just his second international appearance in his hometown, he’s aware that any member of Tony Popovic’s current Socceroos squad could have their own Aloisi moment on Thursday night.
“I think everyone knows the John Aloisi penalty, and it’s replayed over and over again,” Taggart told reporters on Wednesday morning.
“And I was trying to explain to my mum the other day that the game tomorrow is a similar situation to that.
“Obviously the win puts us in a fantastic position to qualify… an opportunity like this in Perth doesn’t come around too often. A lot of these games are in Sydney and in a couple of the bigger cities.
“So to be able to have the chance to create something special, like some of those moments that the whole nation has seen over and over again, like that John Aloisi penalty, or the Josh Kennedy header (against Iraq in 2013) and things like that. To have a chance to do it here in Perth is massive and really special for all of us, but even more so, the boys from this city.”
Taggart was one of nine Isuzu UTE A-League stars selected by head coach Popovic for the final two games of the third round of World Cup qualifying against Japan in Perth, and Saudi Arabia away.
Last year, the Perth Glory captain ticked off a significant career goal with his first Socceroos appearance in his hometown.
Taggart debuted for Australia in 2012 but it wasn’t until the Socceroos hosted Palestine at HBF Park in the second round of 2026 World Cup qualifying that he finally received the chance to run out in front of family, friends and fans from his home city.
At the time, Taggart referred to the Palestine qualifier as a “once in a lifetime opportunity”, as the Socceroos returned to Perth for the first time since 2016.
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But one year on, the opportunity has presented itself once again – this time at Optus Stadium, where more than 50,000 fans are expected to head through the gates to witness what could be yet another iconic night in Socceroos history.
“I think last year’s game, for me personally, being able to represent the country for the first time in Perth and in front of my family and friends for the first time live just made it really, really special and topped off a nice year,” Taggart said.
“It’s a very, very special opportunity, a massive match against Japan.
“I’m stoked that it’s going to be here in Perth, personally, to be involved in front of friends and family, in my hometown city.
“Very special, and especially after last year’s match and how memorable that was, personally, I’m really looking forward to this one.
“It’s almost surreal, I think, to have the opportunity to do it here (qualify for the World Cup) in Perth, not only for myself personally, but for the city and for all the people that I care about. It’s a great opportunity.
“Knowing what’s on the line and being able to have the opportunity to do it here in Perth, which isn’t something that comes around too often, is something that we all want to make the most of, put our best foot forward, give ourselves the best chance possible to win the game, and put us in a very good position to qualify.”
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With two games left to play in the third round of AFC qualifying, the Socceroos sit second behind Japan in Group C, on 13 points from eight games – three points and +9 goal difference ahead of Saudi Arabia.
The top two sides from the three AFC groups at the end of third-round qualifying book their place at the 2026 World Cup; Japan are already confirmed as Group C winners and Australia, should they defeat the Samurai Blue on Thursday, will almost certainly seal second place in Group C and World Cup qualification.
Saudi Arabia face Bahrain in the hours after Australia’s clash with Japan on Thursday night (AEST); if the Socceroos claim three points, anything less than a win for Saudi Arabia would confirm Australia’s place in the World Cup.
If both nations win their respective games on Thursday, the Socceroos will remain three points clear with a sizeable goal difference advantage ahead of their clash with Saudi Arabia in the early hours of Wednesday, June 11 (AEST).
From there, Australia will only need to avoid a catastrophic defeat of at least five goals to see off Saudi Arabia and qualify for the major tournament.
“The opportunity tomorrow would be that one step further to creating something really, really special, and it’s something I’m really looking forward to,” Taggart said.
“It’s a massive chance to create something, but obviously we need to make sure that we focus on the right things, because it’s going to be a very hard game tomorrow and against a very good side. So it’s an opportunity to create something special.”
Match Details: Subway Socceroos v Japan
Date:Thursday, 5 June 2025
Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth
Kick-off: 7.00pm local / 9.00pm AEST
Tickets: Available via Ticketmaster
Broadcast: 10, 10 Play and Paramount+
