Japan 1 Australia 3

[dillo_dillo]

1-2 to Waltzing Matildas.

We'll lose 2 goals from set plays.

[Eddie]

2-1 Japan. Part of me wants Australia to win, with Neill and Emerton and obviously having the links to England, but also I want to see Neill score and own goal and be sent off so he'll sit down and sign that contract. If Neill can have a stinker and Australia still win I'd be happy.

[dillo_dillo]

I want to see Neill score and own goal and be sent off so he'll sit down and sign that contract.

I'm worry about Lucas's card.

We play TOO MUCH neat and orderly. He could be get a card/cards/sent-off.

[dave birch]

I'm concerned for Australia. The Japanese will be quick, if they can get an early goal, the the Aussies will be up against it.

This Australian team has not played many games together, that could work against them tonight. The upside is that they will get better.

I normally don't do predictions, but 2-1 to the Aussies. Viduka and Cahill.

[ihtd]

Lucas Neill to be sent off in a defeat to the mighty Japan 3-0.

[dave birch]

Sorry IHD, Lucas will have a stormer. He'll play centre mid.

X

fingers crossed

[cn_barlow]

Dodgy goal...Neill is doing ok, while Bert continues to do his headless chicken impression!!

Game on.....

[Cocker]

Just watching this and we are in no danger of anyone coming in for Emerton

[Fife Rover]

Just switched on to this at half-time and so far at the 60 min mark there has not been one mention of Lucas Neil; is he playing?

Edit: The commentator just said something about Mark Hughes will be interested to see Brett Emerton playing at centre-half!! I am having great difficulty seeing who is playing in the Aussie back four; need a stong telescope with the camera work as it is!!

Edited June 12, 2006 by Fife Rover

[bellamy11]

The Japanese keeper just made a world class save to keep out aViduka free kick. May not be Australia's day.

[Cocker]

1-1 Cahill

Neil has done ok but Brett is all over the pitch.

To be fair Japan actually have been looking ok and the ossie boys just looked tired.

Kewells legs look like they are going to fall off

[bellamy11]

Blinder from Cahill~!

[RevidgeBlue]

May not be Australia's day.

Maybe it is. Immediately after scoring Cahill should have been penalised for a blatant penalty but went unpunished.

EDIT: And Cahill has now scored a 2nd!!!

[SouthAussieRover]

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2-1 Cahill again.

[Time Hole]

I want Neill to have a good world cup, so he'll be out of here in the summer.

[SouthAussieRover]

3-1 justice done

[Eddie]

Hm, great game, don't know how Australia won that 3-1 though. In the end I think they got the rub of the green. In my opinion the goal Japan scored was a good one, but given the standards today the Aussies were certainly unlucky not to have it ruled out, but that was a definite penalty at the end there, no doubt about it. Australia pressed well, though Japan had plenty of opportunity to kill that game off and wasted the ball when they had it in good positions and must be kicking themselves now.

Australia are now in a great position to go through to the second round as long as no one springs a surprise result against Brazil.

[dillo_dillo]

ordinary game both side.

I thought Japan 1-2 Soccoroo, 'cause We have no bright side pre World Cup friendly.

though 1-3....

The matter is a lot more worse than I thought.

[James No. 7]

Dodgy goal...Neill is doing ok, while Bert continues to do his headless chicken impression!!

Game on.....

Thought Schwarzer was a bit weak about it to be honest. He really needs to be turned on 100% of the time because he's prone to letting easy goals in.

I'm pleased that "my man" Aloisi scored the sealer.

[grizfoot]

Deserved 3-1 win for the Aussies.

Don't think they'll play 5 upfront against Brazil though

[Eddie]

ordinary game both side.

I thought Japan 1-2 Soccoroo, 'cause We have no bright side pre World Cup friendly.

though 1-3....

The matter is a lot more worse than I thought.

You looked good up until the final third I thought, but ran out of ideas and were unable to put in a good final ball once you got to around the penalty area. Midfield played well though and you dealt quite well with the larger Aussies at the back.

[samtheozzy]

YESSSSSS!!!!!!!!! That was brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Australia's first goals and their first ever win at the World Cup and it was no less than we deserved. We dominated posession despite lacking imagination in attack and the brilliance of Cahill and work ethic of Kennedy and Viduka saw us home.

Japan's finishing was woeful and they could have had 5 if any of them knew how to score from a free shot at the top of the square. We'll need to be sharperer in defence against Brazil and Croatia.

Still, one of the finest moments in sporting memory for Australia.

Just brilliant!

[Shaddy]

YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!

(from Jakarta, Indonesia)

[samtheozzy]

Incidentally that ref had a shocker. Japan's goal should NEVER have been counted as it was a blatant foul on Schwarzer. Plus the moron couldn't keep the cheese in his pocket throughout the match...

[mattyc2422]

Amazing. Love you all. This will do wonders for Australia.