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FOOTBALL

Cahill double as Aussies grab win

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Fall guy: Schwarzer is left claiming a foul as Japan turn to celebrate.

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany -- Tim Cahill scored twice in six minutes to lead Australia to a stunning 3-1 comeback win over Japan in Monday's opening Group F clash on Monday.

Second half substitute Cahill equalised after 84 minutes -- it was his nation's first World Cup finals goal -- following mayhem in the Japanese defense and thundered in the second in the 89th minute.

Fellow substitute John Aloisi completed a remarkable comeback with the third goal deep into stoppage time in Kaiserslautern.

Australia, making their first appearance in the finals for 32 years, made the early running.

But they fell behind after 26 minutes when Shunsuke Nakamura's cross floated over Mark Schwarzer into the empty net, although the keeper claimed he was impeded by Atsushi Yanagisawa.

Egyptian referee Esam Abd El Fatah waved away furious protests from Australia.

"In the end justice was done in this game," Australia coach Guus Hiddink told reporters. "I think the referee will thank God for the result.

"It was a clear foul on the goalie. This team is nice to work with because they never give up."

The Socceroos, playing in the finals for the first time since 1974, had hustled and bustled against a side content to pack the midfield.

Kawaguchi made fine saves from Mark Viduka and Marco Bresciano but with Harry Kewell clearly not fully recovered from a groin injury they lacked a killer instinct until Cahill's equaliser.

Japan, who reached the last 16 as co-hosts in 2002, were forced to rely on the counter-attack. From one such break Takashi Fukunishi fired over, then a smart turn from Naohiro Takahara was let down with an inaccurate finish.

Bresciano tested Kawaguchi again and, after Nakamura's goal, the ineffective Kewell blazed narrowly over.

Hiddink threw on attacking midfielder Cahill and strikers Aloisi and Joshua Kennedy in a bold move after the break and it reaped a stunning dividend.

Kewell said the team's determined approach earned them their first win at a World Cup finals.

"We've got a never-say-die attitude and we've got a strong squad," said forward Kewell. "We gave away a goal that was maybe dubious but Tim (Cahill) got two great goals and John (Aloisi) capped off a wonderful performance by us."

The group also contains Brazil and Croatia and Kewell added: "They (Japan) dug in deep and they made it difficult but we kept on going and we knew we would take it.

"It was a bit of brilliance from Tim that got us in front."

World champions Brazil take on Croatia in their opening Group F tie in Berlin on Tuesday.

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