BADEN-BADEN, June 23, 2006 (AFP) - Japan's long reign as Asia's number one team is under threat after they crashed out of the World Cup while rivals Australia made the last 16 for the first time ever. The two sides were drawn in the same group and the writing was on the wall when Australia beat the triple Asian champions 3-1 in their opening match. Japan needed to beat Brazil on Thursday and hope Australia lost to Croatia to stand any chance of progressing and they sniffed a major upset by stunning the defending champions to take the lead through Keiji Tamada's 34th minute goal. But a Ronaldo header on the stroke of halftime proved demoralising and Brazil showed their class in the second half to romp to a 4-1 victory with another Ronaldo strike and goals from Juninho and Gilberto. Playing simultaneously in Stuttgart, Australia held Croatia to a 2-2 draw to ensure they finished second to Brazil on an historic night. It continued the huge success story of Dutch coach Guus Hiddink, who steered South Korea to the semi-finals four years ago and was drafted in by Australia to haul the team out of mediocrity. Australia twice came from behind, snatching the draw 10 minutes from time when Liverpool star Harry Kewell pounced inside the box to slot the ball home and set up a clash with Italy next Monday. "We are confident. With each game we have shown what we are capable of," said Australia's Tim Cahill. "Whatever anyone throws at us, together we are stronger." Japan coach Zico said losing to Australia in their opening match proved fatal. "We didn't lose out on qualification tonight but against Australia in the first game. Overall, I think we did as much as we could today," he said. Australia was only ratified as the Asian Football Confederation's 46th member in September last year, leaving the Oceania Football Confederation in the hope of making it easier to qualify for the World Cup. At present Oceania winners must face a South American team in a two-leg playoff while Asia has four automatic qualifying berths and a playoff. South Korea also have an excellent chance of progressing, needing to beat Switzerland on Friday to ensure they make the last 16 for the second consecutive time. "They are well organised with good players - they will make it difficult for us," said South Korea coach Dick Advocaat. "But we can compete with them and get the win." Of Asia's other representives here, Iran are out and in turmoil after the head of Iran's Football Federation was fired over the national team's humiliating exit. Coach Branko Ivankovic, who had been in charge since 2002, also quit. A 1-1 draw with Angola on Wednesday left Iran bottom of Group D. They also lost to Portugal and Mexico. Saudi Arabia meanwhile face their stiffest test so far when they take on Spain on Friday. Marcos Paqueta's side are propping up Group H after a 2-2 draw with Tunisia was followed by a morale-sapping 4-0 defeat to Ukraine. To qualify they must beat Spain well because of their goal difference of minus-4 and hope Tunisia draw with Ukraine. Asian football chiefs are looking to the World Cup for evidence that the game in the vast continent is making strides since Japan and South Korea co-hosted the tournament in 2002. South Korea shocked everyone then by reaching the semi-finals while Japan made the round of 16. The Korean performance was the best ever by an Asian team at the World Cup. The previous honour belonged to North Korea, who reached the last eight in 1966.
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