A confident Socceroos side will embrace a “special” game against Japan – Asia’s “best team” – in June in Perth where a win would all but seal Australia a spot in next year’s FIFA World Cup.

It was a case of mission accomplished for the Australians in the March international window, with the Socceroos securing six crucial points courtesy of last week’s 5-1 thrashing of Indonesia in Sydney and Tuesday night’s 2-0 win over China in Hangzhou.

Australia is now on 13 points, three clear of third-placed Saudi Arabia in Group C in the third round of AFC World Cup qualifiers.

The top two nations from each of the AFC’s three third-round groups will be guaranteed World Cup berths.

The Socceroos can’t catch Group C leaders Japan, who with 20 points have already earnt qualification.

However, the Australians are in the box seat to seal second spot thanks to not only their three-point advantage over Saudi Arabia but also their nine-goal for-and-against edge over the Green Falcons, who host the Socceroos on June 10 five days after an away game in Bahrain.

Should the Socceroos defeat Japan in Perth, Saudi Arabia would not only need to beat Bahrain and Australia but also by extremely convincing margins to have a shot at finishing in second spot ahead of the Tony Popovic-coached Australians.

“It’s in our hands but we have to get the job done,” Popovic said after his side’s win over China.

“We did our part (in the March window), we got six points, we extended our lead (over Saudi Arabia) to three, so we’re in a good position.

“Now the challenge is a great one. We’ve got Japan and Saudi. Can we improve once more in June against the best team (Japan) in Asia?

“It’s wonderful two games coming up. Firstly, Japan in Perth, it’ll be a special match, and we’re really looking forward to that.”

Socceroos star Jackson Irvine, who along with Nishan Velupillay, found the back of the net in Hangzhou, praised his team’s “mentality” in disposing of China and Indonesia.

“It’s been a massive team effort to get these two results,” Irvine said.

Despite the wins, Velupillay said the Socceroos couldn’t afford to look ahead to the World Cup with qualification yet to be sealed.

“We can’t get too ahead of ourselves,” the Melbourne Victory star said.

“We’ve still got two (qualifying) games to play and two tough games to play … but it’s always good to dream.”

Should the Socceroos fail to finish in the top two of Group C, they have already done enough to finish no lower than fourth, which will at least guarantee them another chance to reach the World Cup via the fourth round of AFC qualifiers, which involves the nations that finish third and fourth in the three third-round groups.