Australia Team: Schwarzer, Neill, Moore(Kennedy 60), Culina, Chipperfield, Wilkshire(Aloisi 74), Emerton, Grella, Bresciano(Cahill 52), Kewell, Viduka.

Japan Team: Kawaguchi, Komano, Santos, Tsuboi(Moniwa)(Oguro), Miyamoto, Fukunishi, Nakata, Nakamura, Nakazawa(Ono), Takahara, Yanagisawa

Japan must be wondering what happened today in Kaiserslautern after totally outplaying Australia for most of the game yet ending up losing by 3-1. A never say die attitude from the Aussies, plus a little help from the referee leaves the Japanese with a huge ask to progress in the tournament.

Japan took control early on, with a well organised team that was keen to get on the ball and pass around the Australians, who to start with could only resort to petty fouls to halt the play. Viduka was the Socceroos only shining light and caused genuine problems, but lacked support.

Viduka brought a double save from Kawaguchi when he turned his man and shot low, with the keeper only able to parry the first shot. Nakamura & Nakata increasingly asserted their influence in midfield and began to run the show for Japan, and Fukunishi went close from distance. Viduka almost got Culina in on goal with a lovely back heel, but unfortunately Culina was not on his wavelength.

Japan almost scored when Santos cut in from the right and squared to Takahara who shifted the ball inside and struck a shot just wide of the post. Minutes later they had the ball in the net when Nakamura hit a lexft footed cross from Japan's right which Schwarzer failed to deal with, and looped over his head. The Aussies claimed for a foul, but the ref was having none of it. Quite right, it was a mistake by the keeper.

The game now really livened up and swung from end to end, with Viduka still the most threatening for Australia, and Kewell occasionally attempting to dribble through, but Japan seemed firmly in control and used their possession more effectively. Grella was booked for a crude foul on Nakata, and the two Japanese front men gave the three Australian central defenders a torrid time with their perpetual movement and link up play. Another goal seemed imminent, but the chances created were not clear ones.

Australia almost went in level when a Bresciano free kick around the near side of the wall had Kawaguchi scrambling.

Half Time: Australia 0 Japan 1

Japan were again taking the bulk of possession early in the second half when Hiddinck made his first of three changes, Bresciano off, Cahill on. How Cahill is not considered good enough to start in this team is beyond me. Japan continued to pass well, but lacked the killer pass to exploit all their possession.

Hiddinck made another change to bring on the huge Kennedy for Moore, a striker for a defender and Australia now started to go route one at every opportunity. Miyamoto handled the aerial threat with aplomb, and for all Australia's huff and puff, Japan didn't look unduly troubled.

Hiddinck introduced Aloisi as the last throw of his dice on 74 minutes, another Striker for a midfielder. A minute later, Japan should have made it 2-0 when a counter attack put Takahara and Yanagisawa through with the Australians back pedalling, but Takahara's pass was poor and the chance evaporated. In the 83rd minute the Japanese 'keeper made the mistake of coming too far to claim a cross, and when the ball spilled in the area Cahill slammed home the loose ball to make it 1-1.

The game now went end to end as both sides looked for the winner, and a minute later at the other end, Cahill made another telling contribution. Komano the right full back had beaten his man and advanced to the bye line, cutting into the penalty area. Komano jinked again, coming inside Cahill who brought him down with a terrible challenge. It was a certain penalty, but the referee Mr Abdel Fatah of Egypt waved the claims away, and Cahill who had already been booked, was extremely lucky to stay on the pitch.

Moments later Japan almost went back in front as Fukunishi unleashed a shot from the right edge of the box which flashed past Schwarzer's left post with the 'keeper just a spectator.

Then came the cruellest blow for Japan, as Cahill gathered the ball in a central position about 25 yards out. The Japanese defenders were for once too slow to close him down allowing him to get a shot away. The strike was perfection, hitting the goalkeepers right hand post before nestling in the other side of the net. Unstoppable.

With only one minute plus injury time to go, Japan were almost dead. Aloisi added a third with a well taken left footed strike as the Japanese left a hole at the back and the game was over. Harsh on the Japanese who played the better football, but the Australians showed a great attitude and work ethic which brought them through at the end.

Full Time: Australia 3 Japan 1

Australia Ratings: Schwarzer 4, Neill 5, Moore 5,Culina 5, Chipperfield 5, Wilkshire 5, Emerton 4, Grella 5, Bresciano 6, Kewell 6, Viduka 8
Subs: Cahill 8, Kennedy 6, Aloisi 6.
Cards: Yellow: Grella, Moore, Cahill, Aloisi

Japan Ratings: Kawaguchi 5, Komano 7, Santos 5, Tsuboi 5, Miyamoto 8, Fukunishi 6, Nakata 8, Nakamura 8, Nakazawa 7,Takahara 7, Yanagisawa 7
Subs: Ono 5, Moniwa 5, Oguro n/a
Cards: Yellow: Miyamoto, Takahara, Moniwa

Referee: Abdel Fatah (Egypt) 2. Was a little keen to hand out the cards, but made one massive mistake for the non penalty decision for Cahill's foul on Komano, which effectively cost Japan the game.

Good: A good end to end & entertaining game all round. Japan's organisation with Nakata & Nakamura's excellent midfield work. Australia's persistence.

Bad: Unfortunately the Ref.

Ugly: Gus Hiddinck - he was looking distinctly like our Football England tipster Minty, if a little better dressed.