Australia beat Japan, making World Cup history
(AFP)
Updated: 2006-06-13 07:34
Australia stormed home with three goals in the final eight minutes for an
historic 3-1 come-from-behind victory over Japan in their Group F World Cup
match.
Australia's Tim Cahill celebrates his goal
against Japan with team mates during their Group F World Cup 2006 soccer
match in Kaiserslautern June 12, 2006. Team mates are Lucas Neill (2nd R),
John Aloisi (C), Josh Kennedy (2nd R) and Scott Chipperfield.
[Reuters] |
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 set for a demoralising opening defeat after they were
rocked by a controversial 26th-minute goal from Japanese playmaker Shunsuke
Nakamura whose shot bounced in as goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer appeared to be
fouled by Naohiro Takahara.
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.
Cahill fired home in a goalmouth scramble in the 84th
minute after goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi failed to clear and he was on the
spot again five minutes later to lash home a volley that rebounded off the left
post into the goal.
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