Super Tim at the double
A double from Tim Cahill has secured Australia top spot in its Group A qualification group as the Qantas Socceroos defeated Japan 2-1 in an entertaining clash between the two Asian powerhouses at the MCG.
A double from Tim Cahill has secured Australia top spot in its Group A qualification group as the Qantas Socceroos defeated Japan 2-1 in an entertaining clash between the two Asian powerhouses at the MCG.
With both teams having already booked their place for next year's FIFA World Cup in South Africa, top spot in the group and pride were the only things at stake and when Marcus Tulio Tanaka put Japan ahead in the 40th minute it looked likely to be the visitors who would emerge as the group winner. But Cahill bobbed up twice, in the 59th minute with his head and then with his foot in the 76th to give Australia all three points and Asian bragging rights.
Australia finishes the group stage unbeaten having only dropped points in two of the eight matches, away to Japan and Qatar. It is Japan's only loss of this stage, but it will not concern coach Takeshi Okada greatly with several of his best players missing.
In a free-flowing start to the game, Australia could have had the lead as early as the seventh minute, when Seigo Narazaki denied the home side. A long ball from Lucas Neill gave Cahill an opening but his shot was blocked. Josh Kennedy flicked rebound back to Mile Sterjovski, whose well-hit shot was deflected over by the Japanese defence.
Japan worked itself slowly into the game and on 19 minutes a Mark Schwarzer error opened up a chance from a cross. Shinji Ozakazi rose well to meet the ball, but headed over. Three minutes later Ozakazi turned provider but Jade North cleared the ball off Keiji Tamada's boot.
After a long period with few scoring chances, Japan took a surprise lead five minutes from the interval. Kengo Nakamura's corner allowed Marcus Tulio Tanaka to jump above Cahill and head home, breaching the Australian defence for the first time in this stage of the qualifying.
Stunned into action, Australia looked to equalise less than a minute later but Sterjovski was again denied by Narazaki from close range, while seconds later Josh Kennedy saw an angled shot cleared away.
Right on half time, Japan nearly went two-up but quick thinking by Lucas Neill on the goal line prevented Keiji Tamada-s terrific free kick from going in.
Sterjovski's night got more frustrating early in the second half when he had another shot blocked, this time by a defender and then headed over from a Jason Culina corner. Daisuke Matsui seized on an Australian error but shot way over before Mark Schwarzer foiled Okazaki's tame shot.
Cahill then got his revenge on Tulio from the first half when Vince Grella sent in a long free kick on 59 minutes and the Everton man got up above the Japanese defender and looped the ball over Narazaki to level it up.
Australia looked the more likely side to score, with Nick Carle testing out Narazaki again and forcing a corner. The Crystal Palace midfielder, playing just his tenth match for his country, then delivered a curling ball which caused all sorts of havoc in the penalty box. Cahill was there at the far post to knock the ball home to complete his brace.
Japan was determined to find an equaliser and the ball spent much of the final few minutes in their box with Kisho Yano having the best chance but shooting over, while Keiji Tamada shot straight at Schwarzer.
Cahill was given a massive round of applause when he was subbed off late in the game, as Pim Verbeek gave Dario Vidosic his first appearance in a Qantas Socceroo shirt, joining Rhys Williams as debutants on another memorable night for Australian football.
Australia 2 (Tim Cahill 59-/76-) Japan 1 (Tanaka 40-)
Crowd: 69, 238 at the MCG, Melbourne