Australia have defeated Japan 3-1 in a World Cup match marked by a dubious decision (either Mark Schwarzer's decision to come off his line in an attempt to claim a Shinsuke Nakamura chip into the box, or the referee's subsequent decision to overlook Australia's claim that Schwarzer was fouled, your choice) and a stunning late comback from Australia, with three goals scored after the 84th minute.
It is an excellent result for the Socceroos, who may well benefit from the two goal buffer at the end of the group stage. Tim Cahill's goal scoring exploits from the bench have grabbed the headlines, but it was the determination and superior physical condition of the Australian team that brought about the victorious fightback. Lucas Neill, who after the exit of Craig Moore in the 61st minute became the only true defender for Australia left on the field, was a rock after a few unstable performances of late. His positioning during several critical moments near the climax was outstanding. Vinnie Grella wasn't the efficient tackling maestro of the first qualifying match against Uruguay, but again his positioning and work rate were instrumental in dealing with the nimble and fleet-footed passing game of Japan.
At times it was hard to tell what formation Guus Hiddink was employing. Australia started in a 3-6-1, sustaining a shape that bared resemblance with the system used to great effect in the friendly against Jamaica. Except our penetration down the flanks was minimal, especially near the death when our fullbacks and midfield piping balls into the center for substitute Josh Kennedy. Luke Wilkshire started as the right wing-back, allowing Brett Emerton to play in the centre alongside Grella. Jason Culina moved out to the left wing-back position, where he has never featured for the national team, with Scott Chipperfield playing in the left-sided stopper role as he did against Uruguay in Sydney. Culina played inside for long periods, allowing Yuichi Komano unprecedented room to push up on the wing. Harry Kewell, who started on the right before migrating to a freer role, gradually benefited from the space Komano's forays opened up on the Australian left and played magnificently considering his lack of fitness. It was Kewell's ball from the centre of the park to substitute John Aloisi that led to the third goal. [Edit -- My mistake, it was Cahill.] Mark Viduka, alone up front until Kennedy's entrance for Moore, toiled very well and provided several brilliant flicks and backheels for the attacking runs of Kewell and Marco Bresciano. When a struggling Bresciano (ear infection) came off in the 53rd minute for Tim Cahill, the turning tides were set in motion. Cahill started to find space behind Kennedy as the match wound down to the last fifteen minutes, with the increasingly weary Japanese defenders failing to sight him. Too much attention was applied to Kennedy, not enough to the dimunitive attacking midfielder. Cahill popped up in the box in the 84th minute for his first scrambled strike past a bewildered legion of players in the box, then found himself with ample room on the edge of the box for a cracking shot off the post that had Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi well beaten at last.
The rest is history.
Grella, Moore, Cahill and Aloisi received yellow cards in the match, which is a slight concern for Hiddink going into the match versus Brazil. Since he will want all players available for the encounter with Croatia, especially Grella and Moore, it will be interesting to see who (and how) he commits to the task of coping with the flair of Brazil. If Wilkshire starts again, it will be he who is given the task on Ronaldinho. Kaka will occupy much of the left-sided defender's attention, while the central unit will have the unholy responsibility of shutting down Ronaldo and Adriano. Keeping Roberto Carlos and Cafu busy up the field will be paramount in Hiddink's mind. Culina kept the Dutch backline very busy all game long with his terrier-like performance in the recent World Cup warm-up game. I wonder if he might be utilised in a similar way again?
Japan, meanwhile, face Croatia, a nation they have collected some good results against in the past. It would do Australia a great service if they could take points away from Croatia, especially if we fail to draw or defeat (!) Brazil. One thing is certain, with our victory against Japan we have proved to the world that we belong on the biggest stage and that we are more than capable of dealing with the intense pressure of must-win situations. One of Hiddink's eyes may not be on the second round just yet, but I'm sure Italy and the Czech Republic are already thinking about a potential tussle with Australia in the knockout phase.
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