Cahill the hero as Australia sink Japan 3-1: FIFA World Cup 2006

The first ever all-AFC encounter at a FIFA World Cup has produced the most enthralling game of the 2006 edition thus far, with Australia netting three late goals to sink reigning Asian champions Japan 3-1 in the opening match of Group F.

Everton midfielder Tim Cahill was the hero for the Socceroos, bagging a second half brace in response to Shunsuke Nakamura”s contentious 26th minute strike, with John Aloisi crowning Australia”s remarkable comeback with the final goal in stoppage time.

“Regarding the weather, regarding the circumstances, it was very difficult to come back, and that’s why I think these guys deserve big compliments for how they kept on going,” said a delighted Australian manager Guus Hiddink after the match.

“I’m not saying this out of arrogance, but we were sure that they were capable of doing so (coming back).⬝

“This team is nice to work with because they never give up, and this team tried to play good football.”

Despite Australia dominating play for the most part and enjoying the lion”s share of possession and scoring opportunities, it was Japan who seemed destined to claim maximum points in an open and entertaining match after Nakamura”s controversial opener.

Nakamura, who made his international debut against Australia nearly a decade ago, floated a seemingly harmless ball into the Australian penalty box that drew Socceroos custodian Mark Schwarzer off his line.

Under pressure from tenacious marksman Naohiro Takahara, Schwarzer made no contact with Nakamura”s lobbed effort, and, despite strong objections from an Australian bench suggesting unfair interference, Egyptian referee Essam Abd El Fatah had no hesitation in awarding Japan their seventh ever FIFA World Cup goal and a priceless early lead.

Ultimately, it was two of Hiddink”s substitutions that saw Australia claim their historic first FIFA World Cup goals, as well as their first FIFA World Cup victory.

Cahill, who replaced Marco Bresciano in the 53rd minute, was the first to strike, reacting quickest to a goalmouth scramble from a Brett Emerton corner.

The Socceroos” equaliser was no less than they deserved after a series of attacking raids that were unfortunate not to reap rewards, although Japan were to be credited for a disciplined defensive display that continually frustrated Hiddink”s charges.

Australian fans celebrated their first goal at a FIFA World Cup with passion, but Cahill”s second just five minutes later sparked scenes of unbridled joy amongst those clad in gold around Kaiserslautern”s Fritz-Walter-Stadion.

On this occasion, Cahill showed great poise to slam home a shot from the edge of the penalty area, handing Australia a crucial lead with stoppage time on the horizon.

Alaves striker Aloisi, who became an overnight Australian sporting icon after netting the Socceroos” winning penalty kick against Uruguay which sealed their berth in Germany last November, put the result beyond doubt with a calmly taken left foot strike two minutes after regulation time had finished.

Just being a part of this World Cup means everything to all of us,⬝ said goal scorer Cahill.

We’ve all worked ever so hard to be here, and the goal is just the icing on the cake.⬝

Australia next play Brazil on June 18 in Munich while Japan try to pick up the pieces against Croatia on the same day.

FIFA MATCH STATISTICS

AUSTRALIA JAPAN

Goals 3 1

Shots on goal 12 2

Shots 20 6

Fouls 22 11

Corner Kicks 5 3

Offsides 5 3

Yellow Cards 4 3

Red Cards 0 0

Ball Possession 52 percent 48 percent

By Ben Coonan (AFC)