Top World Cup moments No15 – Australia come from behind to beat Japan (2006)

No15 – Australia come from behind to beat Japan (2006)

Playing their first World Cup match in 32 years, the Socceroos found themselves 1-0 down against Japan, with 83 minutes gone.

Enter Tim Cahill, whose two goals in five minutes gave Australia an unlikely lead, before John Aloisi fired home a third in stoppage time.

Guus Hiddink, the grizzled veteran who was managing Australia at the time was impressed enough to suggest, “only an Australian could come back like that – that is their toughness.”

Australia had a great tournament, progressing beyond the group stage, before being shafted by the cheating Italians.