Group F kicked-off with the game between the Socceroos and Japan, both teams have ageing squads and this was demonstrated when Middlesborough Keeper came to take a tame cross come shot. He was easily challenged off the ball which sailed past the mass of players in to the Australia goal.

Japan led through their fortunate early effort until the Aussie’s staged a fightback in the last ten minutes. Another Premiership player joined the list of World Cup goalscorers, this time it was Everton’s Tim Cahill who scored the Socceroos’ first ever goal in the World Cup finals, he added a second just a few minutes later. The comeback was complete when Aloisi put his name on the score sheet in injury time.