4 — 1 
Australia (U23)Details
| Date | League | Season | Full Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 2008 | International Qualifiers | Pro (Golden 23) | 90' |
Results
| Team | 1st Half | 2nd Half | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan (U23) | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Australia (U23) | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Recap
Japan vs Australia was the 6th leg of the 2nd stage of the Asian Olympic Qualifiers. Japan needed to win by a difference of three goals in order to qualify for the Madrid Olympic Games. Otherwise Australia would be the nation qualifying.
In the first half, Kazuo Tachibana scored assisted by Taro Misaki with an acrobatic and dangerous combi play with his twin brother Masao Tachibana. After this they had to be replaced by Ken Wakashimazu and Shun Nitta. In the 35th minute Nitta scored, assisted by Wakashimazu.
For the second half forward Macbeth, the one that forced the red card for Gakuto Igawa in the previous game, came in for Australia. Mark Duviga put the 2-1 in the 75th minute, assisted by Harry Konwell. However, Igawa redeemed himself when he scored in the 84th minute, assisted by Misaki. After this goal Mitsuru Sano replaced Takeshi Sawada.
In the 89th minute Taro Misake managed to scored the 4-1 and qualify Japan for the Olympics almost in the last minute.