Aussie Rules: Australia 3 Japan 1

There is work to be done, so I am unable to give this match my full attention, but I leave the TV on in the background to keep an eye on how things progress between two sides looking to build on their nations' recent footballing development.

When Nakamura scores for Japan after 25 minutes I tear myself away to watch the rest of the half. There is a cup final feel about the game, both sides playing with urgency - with Brazil and Croatia yet to come this is a must-win game if qualification for the knockout stages is to be achieved.

The pace is maintained in the second half. Australia pile the pressure on but Japan resist strongly and threaten on the break. Eventually Tim Cahill beats the keeper and a bunch of bodies to bring the Australians level with less than ten minutes to go.

Japan throw men forward to chase the win, but they leave themselves exposed and it is Australia who get the goal, a strike from the D by Cahill with just a minute of normal time remaining. The desperate Japanese fall apart and concede another with seconds to go, John Aloisi the scorer.

Australia deserve the win and look a capable side. Meanwhile Japan are left to rue their second half tactics and are surely already out of the competition.