Cahill praises resilient Socceroos
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Tim Cahill hailed Australia's resilience after it moved to within a win of World Cup qualification with a scoreless draw against Japan in Yokohama last night.
The result left the Socceroos topping Asian Group One with 10 points from four games, two ahead of second-placed Japan.
Australia will book a ticket to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa if it beats Uzbekistan in its next qualifier in Sydney on April 1.
"It's a great result," Cahill said of the Yokohama stalemate.
"They've had five weeks preparing, we've had two days. We will take that result - and I'm sure they will too."
The top two from each of the two five-team groups will qualify from Asia for the World Cup finals.
"You've got to look at the table," Cahill said.
"We're six points clear of the team in third (Bahrain). We're sitting pretty and so are Japan."
Coach Pim Verbeek was satisfied with a point.
"I can only compliment my players," the Dutchman said.
"We had more of less no preparation and Japan were very dangerous, so I'm very pleased with the result.
"We didn't deserve to win this game, we have to be honest about that. I think 0-0 was the maximum [we could have expected].
"The last 20 to 25 minutes we started to get a little bit tired, Japan started to be more dangerous. I am pleased with my 0-0."
Japan produced the better chances in front of 65,000 fans in Yokohama, playmaker Shunsuke Nakamura shaving the bar with a free kick in the 25th minute.
Australia had a legitimate shout for a penalty waved away moments before half-time when Japan defender Tulio looked to have handled the ball but the Socceroos rarely threatened.
Substitute Yoshito Okubo forced a low save from Mark Schwarzer in the 68th minute before the big Australia goalkeeper brilliantly kept out a venomous drive from Yasuhito Endo.
Keiji Tamada then almost diverted a Makoto Hasebe volley inside the post as Japan poured forward in the dying minutes, but the Australians hung on for a valuable point.
"It's frustrating not to take three points at home," said Japan coach Takeshi Okada, who had admitted in the build-up to the game that defeat would have cost him his job.
"We did everything but put the ball in the net. But it's about qualifying for the World Cup. We have four games left and have to keep pushing."
The teams have become fierce rivals since Australia beat Japan 3-1 at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Japan gained revenge by knocking Australia out of the Asian Cup the following year.
"We've not made it to the World Cup yet," Nakamura said.
"We've got four games left and nobody's thinking it's a done deal."
ABC/Reuters
Australia and Japan at the 2006 World CupAustralia and Japan played out a scoreless draw in front of sixty five and a half thousand spectators at Yokohama International Stadium in Japan. Both countries are expected to go through to the World Cup in South Africa.

The Australians sustained heavy pressure throughout the match, they managed to defend effectively. The pressure however cause three players to be booked by the referee. Namely Scott Chipperfield (after 21 minutes), Luke Wilkshire (25 minutes) and Carl Valeri (1 minute into 2nd half added time).

Japan managed to open up Australia's left hand side and create a number of chances up front. Unfortunately for the Japanese, the chances resulted in corners and near misses at best.

"It's a great result," said Tim Cahill, Australia's makeshift striker. "They've had five weeks preparing, we've had two days. We will take that result - and I'm sure they will too."

The result sees them two wins clear of Bahrain, who would play-off for fifth overall in Asia if qualification happened after four games per team.

"You've got to look at the table," Cahill said. "We're six points clear of the team in third (Bahrain). We're sitting pretty and so are Japan."

"It's frustrating not to take three points at home," said Japan coach Takeshi Okada, who had admitted his job was in trouble. "We did everything but put the ball in the net. But it's about qualifying for the World Cup. We have four games left and have to keep pushing."