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Socceroos coach Tony Popovic is determined to build on a new playing style against Japan and believes it can deliver a breakthrough win.

Tony Popovic is confident the Socceroos are capable of snatching a groundbreaking away win over Japan and kickstarting their World Cup qualifying campaign.

And forward Mitch Duke is determined to snap his goal-scoring drought in a country he considers his second home in order to make that happen.

The Socceroos face the Samurai Blue, the world's No.16-ranked team, at Saitama Stadium on Tuesday night (9.35pm AEDT).

They have never beaten Japan on home soil, and last beat them in 2009.

Popovic switched to a back three with wing-backs against China, and appears likely to stick with that formation.

But he was more focused on building on the style he's implemented.

"The formation can be fluid. The formation can change. It can be different tomorrow. But it's the playing style that we have introduced that we want to keep evolving and keep improving," he said on Monday.

"Tomorrow against a great opponent, great stadium, I want us to have the confidence to build on that performance and to show a better playing style again tomorrow. 

"That's key for us, and we feel if we can do that, we have a chance to definitely win the game."

Japan sit top of Group C on nine points with Australia second on four, ahead of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain on goal difference.

The top two teams qualify directly, while third and fourth face another round of qualifiers.

Popovic was asked what mindset he wanted to instil in his players when they reached the World Cup and quipped: "I love your confidence that we'll be at the World Cup. That's very good. You share the same confidence that I have.

"But we have a long way to get to there. For now, our focus is this match. We're not looking too far ahead. 

"Our mindset right now is to win tomorrow. And I know that the players and the staff have full belief in what we are trying to build and that we can get the three points.

"And then when we get to the World Cup, there'll be a nice headache to have to make sure that we are ready for that challenge."

Machida Zelvia striker Duke, who said he had shaken off a shoulder tweak suffered against China, appears likely to again lead the line.

The 33-year-old hasn't scored since Australia's friendly win over Bahrain in January.

"It has been a good international career to date, but I'm not satisfied with what I've done yet," he said. 

"I feel like I've still got a lot more to achieve and being a striker, you always want to score goals and be an important part to helping us win games.

"And for me, I haven't actually been happy, I haven't scored enough goals as of late, and I want to rectify that and change that, and tomorrow would be an amazing start, and very special to do that."

Midfielder Aiden O'Neill was the only player absent from Monday's training.