Cahill Haunts Japan With Double In Socceroos Win

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WCQ: Mark Bresciano, Lucas Neill, Bahrain - Australia

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Two second-half goals by Tim Cahill helped Australia come from behind to finish first in its World Cup qualifying group with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Japan at the MCG on Wednesday night.

It was a case of history repeating, with Japan taking the early lead before Australia, led by Cahill, came from behind to snatch victory reminiscent of their 3-1 2006 World Cup meeting.

More than 70,000 Melbourne fans turned out in single-digit temperatures to cheer on the Socceroos in their final World Cup qualification match. With both Australia and Japan having already qualified, the game was tipped to be a celebration, but the early physicality and pace marked it as much more.  

With Kewell, Coyne, Milligan, and Wilkshire missing, the Socceroos took to the pitch with Neill anchoring a fairly green defensive line up comprising of Jade North, Rhys Williams, and Shane Steffanuto.

Australia had some early chances, including a Cahill shot across the goal mouth that the keeper could only parry. The ghosting in Kennedy was wrong-footed but managed to tap the ball back to Sterjovski, whose shot was deflected over the crossbar.

But it was Japan who drew first blood, taking the lead shortly before half time courtesy of an unchallenged Tanaka header in the 39th. It was the first goal the Socceroos had conceded in eight games—or more than 700 minutes of play—and Schwarzer fell crestfallen backwards into the goal.

The momentum shifted to Japan and they almost went 2-0 up after a sloppy tackle by Grella gave Japan a free kick just outside the box in the 44th. The resulting piledriver was saved only by Lucas Neill’s quick reflexes at the near post.

But the Socceroos emerged determined from the dressing rooms and came from behind to snatch the lead.

Cahill found the equaliser in the 59th, powerfully heading in a Grella free kick past the wrong-footed Japanese keeper. Seventeen minutes later, Nicky Carle, who had scored a rare starting berth in the absence of Harry Kewell, delivered the ball into the box to set up Cahill, who buried it in the back of the net.  

With victory looking secure in the 85th, Cahill was subbed off to resounding applaus and former Brisbane Roar player Dario Vidosic making his Socceroos debut.

Japan pushed forward to find an equaliser in the dying minutes, including a long-range shot that forced Schwarzer onto his knees for a save, but the Socceroos held on to end its qualifying campaign undefeated, five points clear, and hand Japan its first lost of the final group stage.

Fiona Crawford, Goal.com

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