King Venomation - X
06-12-2006, 11:12 AM
Group F Match 12 - Australia 3 Vs Japan 1
* Monday, June 12th 2006
* Kick Off Time: 15:00 CET
* Venue: Fritz-Walter-Stadion
* Referee: ABD EL FATAH Essam
Goals:
10. NAKAMURA Shunsuke (26') (Japan)
4. CAHILL Tim (84') (Australia)
4. CAHILL Tim (89') (Australia)
15. ALOISI John (92+') (Australia)
Japan kick off their FIFA World Cup™ bid on 12 June at Kaiserslautern's Fritz-Walter-Stadion with a stated target of reaching the semi-finals. Their opponents Australia are appearing at their second FIFA World Cup, 32 years after their first appearance, also on German soil, and this opening Group F clash could well prove vital to both sides' hopes of a place in the next round.
Colours for the game
Australia: yellow shirt, green shorts, yellow socks
Japan: blue shirt, white shorts, blue socks
The players
Japan are particularly well served in the midfield area, boasting talented overseas-based players such as Hidetoshi Nakata - set for his third consecutive FIFA World Cup and with experience of Italy's Serie A and the English Premiership - and Shunsuke Nakamura, currently at Celtic after three seasons playing for Reggina in Italy. The Australia squad also comprises mainly European-based players and the Japan defence must be particularly aware of the quick footwork of Liverpool winger Harry Kewell, who could prove a major threat down the left for Australia. Captain Mark Viduka will also test the Japanese with his power and skill up front.
How they qualified
Japan topped Group B in the final round of the Asian qualifiers and were the first team to qualify for the finals after the host nation Germany. Their only defeat in that final round was a 2-1 loss to Iran in Tehran. The Socceroos qualified by defeating Uruguay in the intercontinental play-off. The aggregate score was level at 1-1 after two legs, taking the second-leg tie in Sydney into penalties, where goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer was Australia's hero.
Past meetings
The two sides have never met at the FIFA World Cup although they did face each other in the semi-finals of the FIFA Confederations Cup Korea/Japan 2001, where Japan were narrow 1-0 winners thanks to Hidetoshi Nakata's pinpoint free-kick. In ten meetings overall, Japan have three victories to their name and Australia four.
Tournament history
A FIFA member since 1929, Germany 2006 will be Japan's third FIFA World Cup finals following their participation in the previous two editions. Their first appearance came at France 98, where they lost all three matches, but the Blues bounced back four years later to reach the last 16 on home soil. As for Australia, they head to Germany having missed out on the last eight tournaments. Since gaining FIFA member status in 1963, their only other appearance was at the 1974 tournament in Germany, where they were knocked out in the first round. Subsequent qualifying campaigns have seen them regularly overpower their regional rivals in the Oceania qualifying zone, only to fall at the last hurdle, the intercontinental play-offs. The Socceroos are therefore especially determined to make an impression this time around.
Key contest
The inspiration behind Japan's attacking play is the gifted left foot of Brazilian-born wide manAlessandro Santos. The Urawa Reds man will line up against Blackburn Rovers winger Brett Emerton. Emerton scored four goals in eight games in qualifying, and his attacking abilities will certainly put Santos under pressure. Attacks down the flanks could hold the key for both teams, and the battle between this pair may prove pivotal.
The coaches
This tournament will be the first time that Japan coach Zico has led a team into a FIFA World Cup finals. As a player, wearing Brazil's coveted No.10 shirt, he played in three consecutive finals (1978, 1982 and 1986). He has endeavoured to give the players as much freedom as possible, an approach which has helped many Japanese internationals reach their full potential. Although a less-exalted player than Zico, Australia coach, Guus Hiddink , is one of the world's most-respected coaches. He took the Netherlands to the semi-finals at France 98, then led Korea Republic's historic charge to the last four at Korea/Japan 2002. He worked his magic again this time round by breaking Australia's play-off hoodoo and taking them safely through to Germany.
Match Report and Result
Substitute Tim Cahill was the hero for Australia as the Socceroos scored three times in eight minutes to beat Japan 3-1 in Kaiserslautern and record their first ever win in the FIFA World Cup™ finals.
Trailing at half-time to Shunsuke Nakamura's 26th-minute goal, the opening Group F match turned on its head with the arrival of Cahill. He equalised with a close-range strike in the 84th minute and then fired a spectacular second in the 89th before striker John Aloisi put the icing on the cake two minutes into added time.
The match
6': Under a blazing sun, it was Australia captain Mark Viduka who had the first attempt on goal. Latching onto a lobbed pass, the striker shot first with his left foot and then followed up with his right but both efforts were parried by Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi.
14': As expected, Japan looked to build play more slowly with Guus Hiddink's side playing a more direct, energetic pressing game. After Takashi Fukunishi had hit a 30-yarder well over, the Socceroos proceeded to launch a barrage of crosses into the area testing Japan's defence to the full. From one, Marco Bresciano blasted over.
22': Japan were taking their time to settle but midway through the first half they almost took the lead. Turning past his marker on the edge of the box, Naohiro Takahara did not strike the ball as cleanly as he would have wished, however, and watched the effort trickle wide.
25': It was end-to-end stuff and Viduka produced a delightful back-heel into the path of Bresciano but the Brescia midfielder's side-footed finish from just inside the box lacked sufficient power and Kawaguchi got down well to save.
26': A minute later and Japan were in front with the softest of goals. Finding himself on the right wing, Nakamura chipped in a cross with his left foot that sailed over the advancing Mark Schwarzer and rolled into the empty net to the screams of the thousands of blue-clad fans in the arena. (0-1)
27': Almost from the restart, Harry Kewell, who had previously been kept fairly quiet, beat his man, tore goalwards and fired inches over with his left foot.
41': Australia were finding the going tough as the half wore on. Bresciano, who was finding more space than most, bent a low 30-yard free-kick into the side-netting.
Shutting up shop:
53' Hiddink sent on his leading scorer in qualifying as Cahill, who had been an injury doubt prior to the finals, took the field in the place of Bresciano.
55': Despite the Socceroos' efforts, Japan's defence continued to look safe as the Australians searched for an equaliser in the early stages of the second half. Conserving their energy better in the unrelenting heat, the Samurais were looking dangerous on the break with Nakamura and Hidetoshi Nakata finding plenty of space to weave their magic.
69': Kawaguchi, who had been well protected, pulled off a terrific save to keep his side ahead. After substitute Joshua Kennedy had been brought down on the edge of the box, Viduka threw his whole weight behind the resulting free-kick but the Japanese goalkeeper dived to his right to turn away the powerful effort.
76': With the game opening up, Takahara won possession just inside the Australian half and bore down on goal. The Hamburg striker delayed his pass to the unmarked Atushi Yanagisawa, however, and the final shot fell tamely into the hands of Schwarzer.
78': Two minutes later and Yuichi Komano found himself in acres of space on the right but again his cross failed to pick out any one of the three players in the box.
84': Substitute Aloisi forced another fine save out of Kawaguchi with a scorching 30-yard free-kick.
85': From the resulting corner, the goalkeeper was left punching thin air as he ventured outside his six-yard box and in the ensuing scramble Cahill bundled in the equaliser. (1-1)
87': With huge gaps opening up all over the park, Fukunishi fired just wide from 20 yards.
89': Cahill, from a similar position at the other end, made no mistake, crashing his 20-yarder off one post and into the opposite corner of the net to give Australia the lead with his second goal. (2-1)
90 +2':In the dying seconds, another substitute Aloisi left victory in no doubt, driving through the heart of Japan's defence and, with his favoured left foot, firing in the third. (3-1)
In conclusion:
Australia showed all their fighting qualities to come back in a game in which they looked dead and buried with substitutes Cahill and Aloisi the heroes. Japan, who controlled the match for long periods, will be disappointed not to have added a second after squandering a number of presentable opportunities.
* Monday, June 12th 2006
* Kick Off Time: 15:00 CET
* Venue: Fritz-Walter-Stadion
* Referee: ABD EL FATAH Essam
Goals:
10. NAKAMURA Shunsuke (26') (Japan)
4. CAHILL Tim (84') (Australia)
4. CAHILL Tim (89') (Australia)
15. ALOISI John (92+') (Australia)
Japan kick off their FIFA World Cup™ bid on 12 June at Kaiserslautern's Fritz-Walter-Stadion with a stated target of reaching the semi-finals. Their opponents Australia are appearing at their second FIFA World Cup, 32 years after their first appearance, also on German soil, and this opening Group F clash could well prove vital to both sides' hopes of a place in the next round.
Colours for the game
Australia: yellow shirt, green shorts, yellow socks
Japan: blue shirt, white shorts, blue socks
The players
Japan are particularly well served in the midfield area, boasting talented overseas-based players such as Hidetoshi Nakata - set for his third consecutive FIFA World Cup and with experience of Italy's Serie A and the English Premiership - and Shunsuke Nakamura, currently at Celtic after three seasons playing for Reggina in Italy. The Australia squad also comprises mainly European-based players and the Japan defence must be particularly aware of the quick footwork of Liverpool winger Harry Kewell, who could prove a major threat down the left for Australia. Captain Mark Viduka will also test the Japanese with his power and skill up front.
How they qualified
Japan topped Group B in the final round of the Asian qualifiers and were the first team to qualify for the finals after the host nation Germany. Their only defeat in that final round was a 2-1 loss to Iran in Tehran. The Socceroos qualified by defeating Uruguay in the intercontinental play-off. The aggregate score was level at 1-1 after two legs, taking the second-leg tie in Sydney into penalties, where goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer was Australia's hero.
Past meetings
The two sides have never met at the FIFA World Cup although they did face each other in the semi-finals of the FIFA Confederations Cup Korea/Japan 2001, where Japan were narrow 1-0 winners thanks to Hidetoshi Nakata's pinpoint free-kick. In ten meetings overall, Japan have three victories to their name and Australia four.
Tournament history
A FIFA member since 1929, Germany 2006 will be Japan's third FIFA World Cup finals following their participation in the previous two editions. Their first appearance came at France 98, where they lost all three matches, but the Blues bounced back four years later to reach the last 16 on home soil. As for Australia, they head to Germany having missed out on the last eight tournaments. Since gaining FIFA member status in 1963, their only other appearance was at the 1974 tournament in Germany, where they were knocked out in the first round. Subsequent qualifying campaigns have seen them regularly overpower their regional rivals in the Oceania qualifying zone, only to fall at the last hurdle, the intercontinental play-offs. The Socceroos are therefore especially determined to make an impression this time around.
Key contest
The inspiration behind Japan's attacking play is the gifted left foot of Brazilian-born wide manAlessandro Santos. The Urawa Reds man will line up against Blackburn Rovers winger Brett Emerton. Emerton scored four goals in eight games in qualifying, and his attacking abilities will certainly put Santos under pressure. Attacks down the flanks could hold the key for both teams, and the battle between this pair may prove pivotal.
The coaches
This tournament will be the first time that Japan coach Zico has led a team into a FIFA World Cup finals. As a player, wearing Brazil's coveted No.10 shirt, he played in three consecutive finals (1978, 1982 and 1986). He has endeavoured to give the players as much freedom as possible, an approach which has helped many Japanese internationals reach their full potential. Although a less-exalted player than Zico, Australia coach, Guus Hiddink , is one of the world's most-respected coaches. He took the Netherlands to the semi-finals at France 98, then led Korea Republic's historic charge to the last four at Korea/Japan 2002. He worked his magic again this time round by breaking Australia's play-off hoodoo and taking them safely through to Germany.
Match Report and Result
Substitute Tim Cahill was the hero for Australia as the Socceroos scored three times in eight minutes to beat Japan 3-1 in Kaiserslautern and record their first ever win in the FIFA World Cup™ finals.
Trailing at half-time to Shunsuke Nakamura's 26th-minute goal, the opening Group F match turned on its head with the arrival of Cahill. He equalised with a close-range strike in the 84th minute and then fired a spectacular second in the 89th before striker John Aloisi put the icing on the cake two minutes into added time.
The match
6': Under a blazing sun, it was Australia captain Mark Viduka who had the first attempt on goal. Latching onto a lobbed pass, the striker shot first with his left foot and then followed up with his right but both efforts were parried by Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi.
14': As expected, Japan looked to build play more slowly with Guus Hiddink's side playing a more direct, energetic pressing game. After Takashi Fukunishi had hit a 30-yarder well over, the Socceroos proceeded to launch a barrage of crosses into the area testing Japan's defence to the full. From one, Marco Bresciano blasted over.
22': Japan were taking their time to settle but midway through the first half they almost took the lead. Turning past his marker on the edge of the box, Naohiro Takahara did not strike the ball as cleanly as he would have wished, however, and watched the effort trickle wide.
25': It was end-to-end stuff and Viduka produced a delightful back-heel into the path of Bresciano but the Brescia midfielder's side-footed finish from just inside the box lacked sufficient power and Kawaguchi got down well to save.
26': A minute later and Japan were in front with the softest of goals. Finding himself on the right wing, Nakamura chipped in a cross with his left foot that sailed over the advancing Mark Schwarzer and rolled into the empty net to the screams of the thousands of blue-clad fans in the arena. (0-1)
27': Almost from the restart, Harry Kewell, who had previously been kept fairly quiet, beat his man, tore goalwards and fired inches over with his left foot.
41': Australia were finding the going tough as the half wore on. Bresciano, who was finding more space than most, bent a low 30-yard free-kick into the side-netting.
Shutting up shop:
53' Hiddink sent on his leading scorer in qualifying as Cahill, who had been an injury doubt prior to the finals, took the field in the place of Bresciano.
55': Despite the Socceroos' efforts, Japan's defence continued to look safe as the Australians searched for an equaliser in the early stages of the second half. Conserving their energy better in the unrelenting heat, the Samurais were looking dangerous on the break with Nakamura and Hidetoshi Nakata finding plenty of space to weave their magic.
69': Kawaguchi, who had been well protected, pulled off a terrific save to keep his side ahead. After substitute Joshua Kennedy had been brought down on the edge of the box, Viduka threw his whole weight behind the resulting free-kick but the Japanese goalkeeper dived to his right to turn away the powerful effort.
76': With the game opening up, Takahara won possession just inside the Australian half and bore down on goal. The Hamburg striker delayed his pass to the unmarked Atushi Yanagisawa, however, and the final shot fell tamely into the hands of Schwarzer.
78': Two minutes later and Yuichi Komano found himself in acres of space on the right but again his cross failed to pick out any one of the three players in the box.
84': Substitute Aloisi forced another fine save out of Kawaguchi with a scorching 30-yard free-kick.
85': From the resulting corner, the goalkeeper was left punching thin air as he ventured outside his six-yard box and in the ensuing scramble Cahill bundled in the equaliser. (1-1)
87': With huge gaps opening up all over the park, Fukunishi fired just wide from 20 yards.
89': Cahill, from a similar position at the other end, made no mistake, crashing his 20-yarder off one post and into the opposite corner of the net to give Australia the lead with his second goal. (2-1)
90 +2':In the dying seconds, another substitute Aloisi left victory in no doubt, driving through the heart of Japan's defence and, with his favoured left foot, firing in the third. (3-1)
In conclusion:
Australia showed all their fighting qualities to come back in a game in which they looked dead and buried with substitutes Cahill and Aloisi the heroes. Japan, who controlled the match for long periods, will be disappointed not to have added a second after squandering a number of presentable opportunities.