Australia overcame a one-goal deficit to defeat Japan 3-1 in their Group F World Cup opener in Kaiserslautern on Monday, scoring three times in the closing eight minutes in intense heat. The victory was Australia's first ever at a World Cup, and the goals were the first they had scored at the tournament in their second appearance in 32 years.
Japan had taken the lead in the 26th minute through Shunsuke Nakamura, whose goal drew protests from Australian players, who argued goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer had been impeded before the ball entered the net. Egyptian referee Essam Abdullah el Fatah allowed the goal to stand.
Coach Guus Hiddink changed the game by sending on Tim Cahill, John Aloisi, and Josh Kennedy after halftime. Cahill scored twice, in the 84th and 88th minutes, and Aloisi added a third shortly before full time, beating defender Yuichi Komano to finish with his left foot.
Australia will next face defending champion Brazil in Munich, while Japan must take on Croatia in Nuremberg, both matches scheduled for the following Sunday. The result further burnished Hiddink's standing as one of the top coaches in the modern game.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in June 2006, in its own words.