Australia v Japan - Match Report

Aussies storm home with late goals to down Japan

Australian midfielder Tim Cahill celebrates his goal against Japan in their first round Group F World Cup football match at Kaiserslautern's Fritz-Walter Stadium, 12 June 2006. The match was tied 1-1 in the second half. AFP PHOTO / TORSTEN BLACKWOOD

Australia stormed home with three goals in the final eight minutes for a stunning 3-1 come-from-behind victory over Japan in their Group F World Cup match in scorching temperatures in Kaiserslautern on Monday.

It was Australia's first World Cup win and their first ever goals in only their second finals' appearance in 32 years.

The Australians looked headed for a deflating opening defeat in sapping heat when a controversial 26th-minute goal from playmaker Shunsuke Nakamura rocked them.

But a double from Everton midfielder Tim Cahill, who came on eight minutes after halftime, and another goal from substitute striker John Aloisi turned the game around sensationally as the Australians were rewarded for their all-out attack.

Cahill fired home in a goalmouth scramble in the 84th minute after goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi fired to clear and he was on the spot again four minutes to lash home a volley that rebounded off the left post into the goal.

Japanese midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura (2nd R) points to the heavens following his goal against Australia during their first round Group F World Cup football match at Kaiserslautern's Fritz-Walter Stadium, 12 June 2006. Japan were leading 1-0 at half-time. AFP PHOTO / ROBERTO SCHMIDT

The Japanese were reeling and Aloisi provided the icing with his team's third goal nearing full-time, evading defender Yuichi Komano to rifle home a left-foot volley to send the gold-clad Australian fans into uproar.

It all looked to be going sour for Guus Hiddink's Aussies after Nakamura's controversial goal.

The Celtic midfielder lobbed in a cross from the right and Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer appeared to be knocked off balance by Naohiro Takahara in going for the ball which bounced into the unguarded goal.

Egyptian referee Essam Abdullah el Fatah enraged the Australian players when he awarded the goal and was confronted by a couple of players remonstrating with his decision.

Australia were always up against it before Hiddink risked everything to throw on Aloisi and striker Josh Kennedy along with attacking midfielder Cahill to save the match.

The well-marshalled Japanese looked to have repulsed the incessant Australian attacks before Cahill's equalising goal rattled their composure.

Australia now head to Munich next Sunday for their clash with World Cup holders Brazil, while Japan must regroup against Croatia in Nuremberg on the same day.

Hiddink further enhanced his reputation as one of the great modern-day coaches with the substitutions which altered the course of the match and gave Australia genuine hope of progressing to the last 16.

Japan coach Zico meanwhile must return to the drawing board.