LiveBlog: Australia-Japan

There was a great finish to this Group F clash. Read the blow-by-blow account below and leave your thoughts on the match.

Live: 3 Australia – 1 Japan

Full time A dull game turned into an exciting one with Australia pulling out the victory thanks to three goals in the final 10 minutes. Tim Cahill scored twice and John Aloisi finished off the scoring to lift the Socceroos to their first World Cup win in history. Three points to Australia. A tough loss for Japan.

91:57 GOALLLLL! John Aloisi scores for Australia on a great indiviual effort and this one is all but over. What a turn of events in the final 10 minutes.

90:00 Dramatic turn of events in the final ten minutes. Tim Cahill lifts the continent of Australia onto his shoulders and likely gives his team its first World Cup win ever.

88:47 GOAALLLLL!!! Wow, Tim Cahill hammers one from outside and gives his country the lead. Two goals in the past five minutes from Cahill. There is your hero for today.

87:47 Fukinishi almost drills one in for Japan. Wow, that was close. Suddenly this game has come to life.

87:00 Australia not satisfied with a tie continues to attack. They are the more aggressive of the two teams. Will we see a last minute hero emerge for either side?

86:23 Not the prettiest of goals by Cahill and perhaps a mistake by the Japanese keeper for leaving his line, but it gets the job done for Australia. This one should finish in a tie if the football gods are watching.

83:40 GOALLL!! Tim Cahill punches one home for Australia as there is a mad scramble in the box. 1-1

83:10 Australia with a free kick from 25 out. Aloisi drills it on goal and it is saved by the Japan keeper who bounces up to give his defender a joyous high five.

81:46 Australia ahead in shots 15-5 but the score still is in Japan’s favor. This game certainly hasn’t been one for the ages, especially the second half. Let’s hope the next two matches are more interesting.

80:19 Josh Kennedy has come on to create some chances up top for Australia but other than Viduka’s shots there hasn’t been much from the Socceroos attack to this point.

79:57 Japan starting to knock the ball around and look like a football team. It has taken 80 minutes to see some decent passing.

77:57 Australia is a continent, right? Does that mean that Australia is the first continent to play in the World Cup? Ono on for Yanigasawa for Japan.

76:43 Aloisi is in thee game for a couple of minutes and picks up a yellow card for a slight shiver to the back. Great bit of gymnastics there.

75:45 Takahara might be man of the match for Japan. He continues to extend the Australia defense but is unable to connect with his mates up top. He also might make our all-tournament worst hair team.

74:27 Aloisi in for Wilkshire for the Socceroos. Australia looking for an offensive spark up front.

73:00 Neither team has really controlled this game. A tie might be the fair result but first Australia must figure out a way to crack the Japan defense.

71:32 Australia starting to mount an attack behind the bull of a player Viduka but Japan has the back fairly bottled up.

70:00 Twenty minutes to go. Does Australia have anything left to even this one up?

68:16 Australia good free kick opportunity from just outside the box straight on goal. Viduka blasts it on the ground and a great save from the Japan keeper. Wow, he stretched out to save that one and keep his team in the lead.

66:16 Public service announcement: We’re liveblogging the US-Czech game and Italy-Ghana. Thanks for spending part of your day/evening/morning with us. I truly value your comments and passion for the game. Let’s keep the comments clean. Love one another my friends.

64:48 Japan attacking again. They move into the shadow and hide from sight. Australia able to clear. This has been one of the most boring 2o minutes of football thus far in the tournament.

63:15 For those who have never seen a black hole, the shadow in the Australia box is what one looks like. My eyes hurt trying to find the Japanese players when they run in there.

62:16 Anybody think either of these teams will edge out Croatia or Brazil? From what I have seen today I think the answer is probably no.

60:00 Josh Kennedy on for Craig Moore. Smart move with Moore already having a yellow. Kennedy is going to play in the Bundesliga next year. The German announcers are very proud of having a Kennedy in Germany again.

58:59 Japan having the better run of play. Australia looks to be deflated after giving up a weak goal midway through the first half.

57:12 Craig Moore with a yellow for Australia. The shadow continue to read its ugly head and I can’t even see Japan when they are attacking in the box.

56:45 This game has lacked action since the start of the second half. I’m starting to get a little jealous of those of you who are at work. You can entertain yourselves with something else.

55:24 Tanaka on for Tsuboi. The Japanese fans chant Tanaka’s name.

55:06 Hiddink still very upset on the sideline. His face is permanately pink. Tsuboi cramping up for Japan. Has to come off to the side.

52:04 Cahill on for Bresciano for the Socceroos. A good move by Hiddink if you ask me, but you didn’t, did you?

51:37 Japan with a soft cross into the box and Schwarzer plays it. Not a bad thing to try since it worked once already.

50:17 Both teams trying to feel one another out in the start of the second half. Japan is usually one of the more fit teams around so it will be interesting to see if that comes into play.

49:04 What are you people doing at work? Don’t you know this is the friggin World Cup? No work for you, folks.

47:56 Not the prettiest of football in this game, but both teams are fairly even. Wow, Takahara can really motor in the frontline for Japan.

46:18 Japan has a strong midfield but I though they were outplayed in the first half. Japan’s forwards showed great work rate and created the opportunities.

45:01 We’re underway in the second half. Will Australia be able to come back in this one or will Japan close it out?

Still halftime Interesting post on our referees blog about the lack of controversy with refs so far. Ironic considering your comments on this game.

Halftime A fairly entertaining first half of World Cup football with lots of up and down the field action. Australia had its chances but it was a crossed ball from Japan’s Nakamura in the 26th minute that is the only goal. I’m off to get a refill on the beer. I’ll be back at the start of the second half. What are your thoughts on the first half?

43:02 Australia leading the possession time 54-46. Seems about right. They have had the better opportunities but Japan is leading on the scoreboard thanks to a stange goal.

42:46 This might be the most poorly called game so far. The refs have been ok in the tournament but the crew today seems a bit lost and I am completely neutral here.

40:46 Australia free kick from outside the box. It just goes wide. Brescinao better be wearing sunscreen with that bald head of his. Nice kick.

38:57 Australia starting to accumulate fouls as Japan is eager to spend their time on the ground. Takahara gets a yellow for tossing the ball away after being called offside. He deserves a red for his rooster like hair.

37:24 The ubiqitous German shadow starting to creep onto the pitch. I read today they will be closing the roof in Frankfurt next time there is a game there to block out the sun and heat.

35:43 Yangisawa down in pain. Do you think he is a natural purple haired dude? Socceroos eagerly gulping down water while they can. Hot day here in Germany.

34:24 Socceroos continue to create opportunities but a little too eager when they are near the goal. Japan falling back to play a defensive game with the breakout counters. Takahara has some great pace to his game.

33:15 Grella shown a yellow card for a questionable tackle. Didn’t look like a yellow to me.

32:45 Hiddink very upset on the sideline. The 4th official has to restrain him. What’s that all about?

32:13 Both teams looking a little too eager. Australia expended a lot of energy early to try to get the equalizer. Japan has had troubles scoring so a soft goal early is welcome news for them.

30:03 Australia with the corner and it is headed away by Australia. The replay of that goal shows the Japan players clearly blocking Schwarzer. Tough no call.

28:26 Still kind of stunned that a quality keeper like Schwarzer would let that one in. Japan has an extra bounce in their step now that they are up a goal. Somehow I don’t think the scoring is done in this one. Wide open game.

27:00 Harry Kewell nearly answers for Australia. Tough break for the Socceroos who were playing well but get burned on a soft goal.

25:49 GOAALLLLL!! Nakamura with a cross that sales over the head of Schwarzer who was being blocked by a pair of Japan players. Strange goal

25:22 Since when did Viduka learn to pass like Zico? The big man has been impressive.

24:12 Viduke sets up BRESCIANO who hits a point blank shot right at the Japan keeper. Should have scored on that one. Australia with the better chances thus far.

23:15 Japan apparently doesn’t care much about free kicks. There efforts so far have been less than pathetic. Not a bad game as far as action though. Anyone else having fun with this World Cup?

21:45 Takahara with an excellent move to free himself and he blasts a shot just wide of the goal knocking over the keeper’s water bottles. He would have scored if his hair wasn’t so out of control.

20:15 Socceroos doing a nice job stringing together passes but having problems in the final third. They should be using their height more to their advantage. Maybe they’ll hire me after Hiddink leaves.

17:56 Free kick for Australia into the box and cleared away without a worry. Japan quickly back on the counter. That seems to be their strategy today. Will Australia’s defense hold up in the heat? You’d think so.

16:26 Japan not looking as well organized as they did in 2002. Australia looking much better than in 1974.

15:03 For those scoring at home I am enjoying a nice Erdinger white beer for this contest. It is early in the day and hot so trying to pace myself. Looks like Viduka has had a few beers in his day.

13:52 Australia finding some success on the left side but Bresciano is unable to put it on net. He hit that one all the way to France. Australia looking the better of the teams at this point.

11:56 Nice flick on in the box for Australia but it is all for nothing. The Socceroos are creating some chances but Japan is able to race right back and Fukunishi skies a shot over the bar.

10:41 Who would win a steel cage match? Viduka or Schwartzer? Both are big boys.

9:36 YANAGISAWA bringing some serious speed for Japan on the left flank. The game is starting to open up with lots of space in the midfield. Japan earns a corner.

8:15 A shot of Guus Hiddink on the Aussies sideline. I wonder how those Russian lessons are coming along. I’m willing to be he’ll lead Russia to the next World Cup. He is a quality coach.

7:02 Viduka making his presence felt early. He looks like he is stronger than Japan’s backline. As is usually the case though, you never know if Viduka can give the effort for a full 90. Good start for him though.

5:47 Viduka with not one, but two shots on goal but he is denied by Japan’s keeper. Great chances from the captain.

4:57 Australia looks like it placing Aussie rules. They could be kicking Japan all day. Might be the strategy or just their style of play.

4:03 Australia discovers the Japan end of the pitch but decides to spare their Asian friends from falling behind. Alex takes a tumble after getting chopped down by Wilshire.

2:27 In case you are curious the Japan player Alex is not originally from Japan. He is Brazilian and apparently was forced to go elsewhere since his one name is not that interesting or flashy. Not a bad player though.

1:02 Free kick opportunity for Japan right out the box. Smacks the Aussie wall right in the face. You can’t pay me enough to stand in a wall these days.

Kickoff We’re underway in a Group F clash between Australia and Japan. The Socceroos make their first World Cup appearance since 1974. The Brazilian legend Zico leads Japan into the World Cup for the second time in a row.

Pregame

3 minutes to go: Harry Kewell does make the starting lineup for Australia.

5 minutes to go: Time now for the Japan national anthem.

6 minutes to go: All rise for the Australia national anthem. The players aren’t really singing along. Maybe they don’t like to karaoake.

8 minutes to go: The flags are out on the pitch. The referees lead both teams out of the tunnel. Australia is wearing yellow Nike tops and green shorts. Japan is wearing blue Adidas tops and white shorts.

9 minutes to go: At the 1998 World Cup, the Japanese fans were voted the cleanest fans of any country. They reportedly left their seating areas cleaner after the games than they were before the games started.

11 minutes to go: Looks like the field is largely shadow free for the start of this one. It is a glorious sun splashed pitch. Perfect weather for World Cup football.

13 minutes to go: Great shots of the Aussie and Japan crowds. Both countries have brought a good number of people despite being so far away from Germany. I know it is a late night for those of you in Australia so thanks for staying up and enjoying the game with us.

18 minutes to go: German television shows John Travolta jumping up and down with the Socceroos. Keep that in mind while you make your predictions.

20 minutes to go: It is another bright, hot, sunny day here in Germany. Both teams will have to fight through the heat. Japan’s players complained last week about the cold weather during training, but there will be no complaints today. Remains to be seen if the dreaded German shadow will be on the pitch in Kaiserslautern.

30 minutes out: We think we have solved a minor television crisis here at World Cup Blog Berlin HQ but we’ll see if the game actually appears on our set. It is confusing trying to figure out which games are on which German channels. Not rocket science mind you, but confusing nevertheless.

Any predictions for the match?

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