Australia defender Aziz Behich put the ball into his own net
in the 85th minute Tuesday to give Japan a 2-1 victory and six points from four
matches in Group B, three points behind the first-place Aussies.
Australia goalkeeper Mat Ryan tipped a shot from Takuma
Asano and the ball bounced off the post and then ricocheted off Behich and into
the net.
Only the top two teams from each of the two six-team groups
will automatically qualify for the World Cup in Qatar.
Ao Tanaka gave Japan an early lead at Saitama Stadium, but
Ajdin Hrustic equalized for Australia in the 70th minute.
“Both teams had a go at each other,” Australia coach Graham
Arnold said. “We were unlucky that we hit the post but ... at the end of the
day, it wasn’t meant to be but we are on nine points after four games.”
Australia, which had won 11 straight games, was awarded a
penalty kick midway through the second half when Hidemasa Morita brought down
Hrustic on the edge of the area. But before Martin Boyle could take the kick,
referee Abdulrahman Al-Jassim of Qatar reversed the call after a video review,
ruling that the challenge had taken place just outside the box.
Japan is seeking a seventh straight World Cup appearance.
Australia has appeared at every World Cup since 2006.