Australian comeback breaks Japanese hearts
Japan were worried before the match by Australia’s tough, physical approach and they were right to be as the Aussies eventually wore Japan down to score their first goals ever in a World Cup and achieve a 3-1 victory in the opening tie in Group F. Trailing 1-0 from the 26th minute to a Nakamura goal following a huge error by goalie Mark Schwarzer, substitute Tim Cahill came off the bench to score 2 of the Socceroos 3 goals, all of which Japan conceded in an explosive final six minutes. Cahill’s second is another contender for goal of the tourament, his rasping shot from the edge of the area smashing against one post and flying along the line to go in just inside the other post. The third was scored in the last minute by John Aloisi.
In truth the Aussies deserved their win with Kawaguchi by far the busier of the two keepers, with Zico’s team trying to defend their lead in contrast to the carefree abandon that their coach showed as a player. With the wily Guus Hiddink in charge, Australia are strong contenders to finish second in Group F (assuming that Brazil take the group seriously enough to win it).
The match with Croatia will be particularly interesting; a number of the Socceroos, such as Viduka and Skoko have Croatian roots while a few players in the Croatian squad grew up down under but preferred to represent the nation of their forefathers e.g. Seric and Didulica.
In contrast with tough encounters against Croatia to follow Japan look destined to go home early.
