The LG Socceroos have lost the semi final of the Confederations Cup, going down to host nation Japan 1-0 in Yokohama tonight.
Played in monsoonal conditions from the kick-off, the driving rain made the surface extremely slippery, with both teams having trouble adjusting to the pace and bounce of the ball.
The first real chance of the game came in the 39th minute, when Steve Corica burst through the defence and found himself one-on-one with the Japanese keeper, who saved the shot.
A minute later, Stan Lazaridis' header touched the post and went wide, the midfielder on the end of a David Zdrilic cross and beating the goalkeeper, but unable to net the ball.
Two minutes from half-time, Japan took the lead against the run of play, Hidetoshi Nakata taking a free kick just outside the Australian box, the ball skidding through the wall and into the back of the net off Kevin Muscat's boot.
The 56th minute saw Japanese striker Takayuki Suzuki sent from the field after an off-the-ball incident with Tony Popovic, while four minutes later Australia made a double substitution, as the LG Socceroos sought the equaliser.
Archie Thompson created several chances and was unlucky not to draw it back on level terms, his best attempt a header just wide of the post late in the game, while Nakata again had a golden opportunity to wrap it up for Japan in the 77th minute, beating the Australian defence but shooting wide.
In the end, the single goal for Japan was enough, with Australia's misery compounded by Craig Moore's send-off late in the game, for a second yellow-card offence.
Australia will now travel back to Korea tomorrow, to play Brazil in the Third Vs Fourth play-off in Ulsan.
FRANK FARINA - Post Match Interview:
Q : Frank, from your perspective, what was the semi final all about?
A : Pretty much that we dominated the match in many areas, but we failed
to take our chances. First half, they had basically one opportunity and
took it, while we had some good opportunities and didn't take them. We
made a silly foul to give away the free-kick just outside the box, and
from there it was another mistake with the wall, the ball went through
the wall for the Japan goal, but in general for the first half, I felt
we dominated. The second half, again we had a lot of possession, the
worst thing that happened to us really was when their player was sent
off, because then, they just dropped behind the ball and it's always
hard to break a team down when they're playing like that, especially
when they're 1-0 up. At the end of the game they caught us on the
counter twice, but that was a risk we had to take, being down we
had to push forward and try to get a goal. I think we could have
played for another hour out there tonight and wouldn't have scored,
but basically, I think it broke down in the final third, 16 metres
from goal.
Q : The torrential rain couldn't have helped our game-plan very much,
could it?
A : Well, both teams were affected by it, we both had to play in it, I
think we handled the conditions better but it was difficult to play our
game, which is pretty much a passing game - every time the ball was going
through, it was just skipping off the wet grass. But as I said, both teams
had to play in it - unfortunately we didn't score, and if you don't take
your chances at this level, you won't win football games.
Q : If there was one area in which to pin-point tonight's loss, where would
it be?
A : As I said, just in the final third, our finishing, it was just one of
those nights. Their keeper made a few good saves, and the bounce of the
ball was just getting away from us. I think at the death, John Aloisi was
through and it just clipped him on the shin and bounced to the keeper, so
it just wasn't our night in front of goal. There were a number of chances
Archie Thompson's header Steve Corica's one-on-one Stan Lazaridis' header
David Zdrilic had a couple of shots - but you have nights like that.
Q : Now you go back to Korea for the play-off for 3rd and 4th - what are
your feelings on that?
A : In the end, it's nice to be through this far in the tournament, and
obviously we'll be trying to win the game, but my focus now is on the
World Cup Qualifiers, so we'll get this one out of the way, clinch third
spot, and get home.