Yasuyuki Konno and Shinji Okazaki strike as Japan defeat Australia

Updated: May 17, 2024, 01:27 am
Shinji Okazaki scored he second goal for Japan as they saw off Australia.
PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images

OSAKA -- Japan sounded a warning ahead of their defence of the Asian Cup with a 2-1 friendly win over Australia on Tuesday.

Javier Aguirre's team, brimming with confidence after a 6-0 thrashing of Honduras last Friday, defend the trophy in Australia in January.

Second-half goals by substitute Yasuyuki Konno and Shinji Okazaki earned Japan their victory, with Tim Cahill's last-minute header a scant consolation for the visitors.

Konno headed in at the far post after 61 minutes after the Australia defence failed to deal with Keisuke Honda's corner from the right, and Okazaki scored the second with an exquisite flick from Masato Morishige's pass.

Only a smart reflex save by Australia goalkeeper Mat Ryan from Yohei Toyoda's close-range header prevented further damage for Ange Postecoglou's team before Cahill's leap and header narrowed the deficit in the last moments of the match.