2006 FIFA World Cup Group F

Play in Group F of the 2006 FIFA World Cup began on 12 June and completed on 22 June 2006. Brazil won the group and advanced to the round of 16, along with runners-up Australia. Croatia and Japan failed to advance. Australia's win against Japan was the first (and so far only) by a team from the Oceania Football Confederation, having switched to the Asian Football Confederation after the tournament. It was also the only time that a team from the OFC had advanced to the second round of the tournament, as in 1974 Australia went out in the first round. == Standings == Brazil advanced to play Ghana (runners-up of Group E) in the round of 16. Australia advanced to play Italy (winner of Group E) in the round of 16. == Matches == All times local (CEST/UTC+2) === Australia vs Japan === This fixture was Australia's first game in the World Cup finals since 1974. Prior to the game, Japan officials had reportedly suggested that Australia were an aggressive team prone to "dirty tackles". Japan won against Australia 1–0 in Semifinal 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup. Australia had the best of the chances early in the first half, with Japan goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi saving twice from Australia striker Mark Viduka in the opening five minutes. In the 25th minute, Kawaguchi performed a fine save from a powerful strike taken by Mark Bresciano. Shortly after, Japan took the lead in controversial circumstances after 26 minutes when Socceroos keeper Mark Schwarzer was impeded as he was trying to collect Shunsuke Nakamura's cross. Late in the second half, with Australia pressing forward for an equalizer, Kawaguchi failed to claim a long throw in from Lucas Neill. Substitute Tim Cahill, who was reportedly recovering from knee ligament damage that threatened to rule him out of the tournament, struck the loose ball to score Australia's first World Cup finals goal. Minutes later, Cahill found space on the edge of the penalty box and struck from long range, with the ball hitting the left post and bouncing into the goal on the right side netting, putting Australia ahead. Deep into injury time, substitute John Aloisi ran through the Japan defence and scored Australia's third goal via a low left-footed strike, sealing Australia's and an Oceanian's team first ever win at the World Cup. After the game, Australia coach Guus Hiddink expressed delight with the resilience shown by his players, however was adamant that Japan's opening goal should not have stood. Schwarzer revealed that the Egyptian referee Essam Abdel-Fatah had apologised for allowing Japan's opening goal to stand instead of granting a free-kick, and expressed relief that his decision did not affect the final outcome of the game. Japan coach Zico remarked that referees should not have to make such apologies and that FIFA need to sort out such incidents. This was Japan's third straight failure at winning their opening fixture at the World Cup finals, having lost in 1998 to Argentina 1–0 and drawing in 2002 to Belgium 2–2. === Brazil vs Croatia === Brazil came into their opening match against Croatia as defending champions, having won their fifth World Cup at the 2002 edition of the tournament, and were favourites to win the tournament. Just before half-time, Kaká's curling left-footed strike put the Brazilians ahead. With the win, Brazil became the first team in World Cup history to win eight consecutive matches. === Japan vs Croatia === The last time the two sides met, Croatia defeated Japan 1–0 in the 1998 edition of the tournament in which Croatia went on to finish in third place. With both teams having lost their opening fixtures, Croatian captain Niko Kovač told the Vecernji List that the fixture was “naše biti ili ne biti” (“our to be or not to be”), with the same outlet reporting for the Japanese the headline “Zico: Presing od prve minute” (“Zico: Pressing from the first minute”). Croatia's best opportunity to score came mid-way through the first half when Dado Pršo was fouled by defender Tsuneyasu Miyamoto. Darijo Srna stepped up to take the spot kick, but his strike was parried away by Japan goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi. === Brazil vs Australia === Both teams headed into the fixture having won their opening games. The two teams had met each other 7 times prior, with their most recent game being a 1–0 win to Australia at the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup. Australia's well-organised defence frustrated Brazil, who created only one opening in the first half when Ronaldo flicked the ball over his head and into the path of Kaká, whose shot went wide of Australia's goal. Early in the second half, striker Adriano put Brazil ahead with a low strike just outside the penalty box. Despite the setback, Australia pushed forward, with Harry Kewell volleying just over the Brazilian goal, and Mark Bresciano shooting via a bicycle kick which was saved by Dida. Late in the second half, Brazil substitute Fred scored the second goal for Brazil via a rebound, and the game finished 2–0, securing Brazil's position to the round of 16. After the final whistle, Harry Kewell complained to referee Markus Merk, alleging that he awarded Brazil so many free kicks that even the Brazilians became embarrassed. FIFA subsequently commenced disciplinary procedures against Kewell, alleging that he repeatedly insulted Merk, but the disciplinary committee eventually cleared Kewell of any wrongdoing. === Japan vs Brazil === Brazil came into the fixture having already qualified for the round of 16, with opening wins against Croatia and Australia. Brazil had come under criticism for lack of flair in their performances, and their star player Ronaldo, who was the top scorer at the previous World Cup, had yet to score and was close to being benched. This fixture was Ronaldo's 17th successive World Cup match, the longest streak by a current player at that time. Japan took a surprise early lead after 34 minutes against the highly-fancied Brazilians when Keiji Tamada's left-foot strike beat Dida on his near post. Just before half-time, Brazil striker Ronaldo equalized via a close-range header. After the break, Brazil doubled their advantage via a long-range strike taken by Juninho Pernambucano. Gilberto later scored via an acute angle, and Ronaldo again scored via a long-range strike into the bottom corner to secure a 4–1 victory for Brazil. With the victory, Brazil completed 10 successive victories at the World Cup. Japan's goal was the first time Brazil had conceded in 461 minutes of football. Ronaldo's 13th and 14th World Cup goals equalled the all-time record of 14 set by West Germany's Gerd Müller, and he also became the 20th player to score at three different World Cups. === Croatia vs Australia === The fixture was marred by numerous referring mistakes and controversies, resulting in referee Graham Poll being dismissed from the remainder of the tournament. Shortly after, Poll announced his retirement from international football altogether. In an interview in 2022, former Australia forward John Aloisi recalled the fixture being 'pure chaos'. With the draw against Croatia, Australia progressed from the group stages of the World Cup for the first time in their history, and coach Guus Hiddink for the third time in his career, after Netherlands in 1998 and South Korea in 2002. == See also == Australia at the FIFA World Cup Brazil at the FIFA World Cup Croatia at the FIFA World Cup Japan at the FIFA World Cup == Notes == == References == === Match reports ===