The Caltex Socceroos have been held to a 1-1 draw with Japan in a pulsating FIFA World Cup qualifier in front of almost 50,000 fans in Melbourne on Tuesday night.
Just like in Jeddah four days ago, Australia was hit with an early goal as Japan went in front inside five minutes through Genki Haraguchi.
But a second half penalty, converted by skipper Mile Jedinak, drew Australia level and while they probed hard for a winner, Ange Postecoglou’s side had to settle for a point.
Australia remains unbeaten in the group after four matches on eight points heading into their next qualifier in Thailand next month.
In front of 48,460 fans at Docklands, Japan set up to frustrate the Aussies early, sat deep to congest the midfield and force an error to hit on the counter attack.
It worked to a tee early as they silenced the home crowd with an early goal.
A loose pass was pounced on by Shinji Kagawa and passed to Keisuke Honda who then sent Karaguchi away and he fired it in low past Mat Ryan.
The Caltex Socceroos appeared a little shell-shocked and had to work hard to try and take the sting out of Japan’s early pressure.
While Australia’s passing wasn’t at its crisp best, Tomi Juric was looking the most dangerous and he had the home side’s best early chance.
Juric rose highest to meet Aaron Mooy’s whipped free-kick but he couldn’t crane his header enough to keep it under the crossbar.
The visitors remained dangerous on the break with Haraguchi teeing up Honda on the edge of the box, but luckily for Australia his shot was straight into the arms of Ryan.
Three minutes later Mile Jedinak tried his luck from a free-kick 30 yards from goal, forcing keeper Shusaku Nishikawa to punch away.
No changes at the break for the Caltex Socceroos as they continued to look for a solution to break down the well-organised Japan rear-guard. And they soon got their lifeline.
Brad Smith got free down the left and his cross made its way to Juric who bundled over by Haraguchi for a penalty.
Jedinak’s spot kick was assured and sweet to draw Australia level.
Docklands was now rocking as the Caltex Socceroos wrestled back the momentum.
Soon after, Juric was involved in another tussle in the box but this time had his penalty appeal turned down, while Matthew Spiranovic couldn’t get enough power on his header to beat Nishikawa.
The home side were turning to screws and with 20 minutes left Ange Postecoglou brought on Tim Cahill for Juric as they went in search for a winner.
Japan had a great chance to regain the lead 17 minutes from the end but Ryan got down low to his right to somehow keep out Yu Kobayashi’s header.
Australia finished stronger and almost pinched it late when Spiranovic headed over the bar from Massimo Luongo’s free-kick. But it ended a draw leaving Group B wide open.