FULL TIME: Time to cry in our beer. We won one game in four at this tournament.

We are now out. We didn't really deserve to win this match against Japan. We looked okay, we were in it, but just not good enough. Sadly, Schwarz couldn't do it for us again. This is a tournament that we all thought we'd win... but we were far from it.

What should happen next? I'm too emotional to discuss right now....





10) Japan scores. Didn't even catch his name. We're out. Buries it into top right corner.

9) Carney scores.

8) Takahara misses. Skies it! Awesome!

7) Carle scores.

6) Komano scores.

5) Cahill scores.

4) Endo scores.

3) Neill misses. Keeper saved.

2) Nakamura scores. Schwarz touches it but it goes in.

1) Harry up first. He's juggling the ball. It's saved. A good stop. Keeper goes to his left.

PENALTIES

121 These refs are idiots. Someone blow a whistle. Schwarzer has been unbelievale in the final phase of this match. Ridiculous. FULL TIME. Now it's penalties.

119 Big final Japanese push at the mo. Absolute mayhem. Schwarz saves close to full time. UNBELIEVABLE. They took a shot. oh my god. Blow the whistle please ref. PLEASE.

118 Japan offside in the box. Pressing unbelievably high.

117 Milligan takes a long throw but he steps over the line. Spewin' it was a nice throw too.

116 Carle wins a throw in deep in Japan half.

114 Japan make a sub. Nakamura off! Yano on. He's a striker. Maybe it's a penalty shoot out ploy.

113 Japan try and loop one into the top right corner. Culina goes down injured and looks a little cramped.

111 Sato misses a one on one with Schwarz. He hits it hard with his left but it flys over. Schwarz still smiling.

110 Carle had ball but defenders EVERYWHERE. Japan get ball back and stretch wide and to the right. Japan tees it up and takes a HUGE swing. Schwarz saves cooly with one hand. Unbelievable.

109 WICKED ball from Nakamura. Close to going in for Japan. Then they have another shot but gets headed away. Ahhh!

108 We're looking like we're getting back into it. Far from a goal threat, but more confident. We've come this far...Japan now have a corner though!

106 Emmo saves us with a pacy chase of Nakamura who had the pedal to the metal. It's all happening. We just got opened up but somehow managed to save it with Schwarz cleaning up. He's actually looking like he's having a good time, which is a good sign at this stage.

Second half of extra time has started...

105 Milligan has a long throw and Cahill goes for head. Came off his shoulder though. Went close... landing on roof of net. It's now half time of extra time.

104 Kewell looking like the man most likely after yet another electrifying run. Ends up winning a throw in for us with some smart play.

103 Great run by Kewell but a step too far. Ends up giving ball away for a Japan goal kick.

102 Takahara continues to be look dangerous; still has plenty of pace this far into the match. Japan scramble in box with two desperate shots. Blocked by bodies and Schwarz ends up with it in his hand.

101 Japan made a sub. Sato on for Maki.

100 Conceded kick by Carney in final third on right. Nakamura swings in but Schwarz saves it.

99 Carle plays to Carney who goes for a run. Kewell plays smartly to Emmo who tries to find Cahill who makes a run. Emmo wastes with a terrible cross.

97 I may as well cut and paste the bit below again. This time though, Takahara is caught offside. Lost track of Japan's subs but I have a feeling that they still have all three subs up their sleeve.

95 Wasteful cross taken by Kawaguchi. Japan stroke the ball around box. Roos seem to just try and win back ball and try and find someone long. Japan are being predictable too though, but have the advantage of possession. The extra man factor is coming into play big time.

94 Kewell is taken down by Abe wide on right. Abe gets a yellow.

93 Japanese bloke down. It's Komano. Reckons he's got a sore back, after a knock from Carney.

92 Kewell moving freely and looking good.

91 We're sitting deep. Kewell looks to be playing up front with Carle and Cahill in behind him.

Both teams are now in huddles. It's game on again. Harry is continuing on. Schweet.

Everyone is drinking. Update on stats - Japan has had 53%, we had 47%.

93 Suzuki takes a shot but lacks pace. Looks like we are headed for extra time. No news as yet on Kewell. Full time of normal time.

91 Kewell has broken down. Physios out there. Getting a leg rub but he's now standing. Got a limp... drinking, looks slightly distressed but cross your fingers.

90 Apologies, second server freak. Japan building up attacks for the last two minutes, again just playing with the Socceroos. Three minutes added.

87 Carle gets ball outside box. Takes a shot! Misses, to left.

86 Schwarz saves from a dangerous cross. Looked better than many moments previously...

85 Kewell wastes the opportunity. Japan now have ball and building up play through centre.

84 Kewell wins a free kick on the right of the box. Good position.

83 Takahara hand balls in our box, so we''re outta trouble. Schwarz hoofs it long but Japan win it onto to kick it out. Throw in to us.

82 Aloisi takes his time coming off. He's done well. Lots of applause for both. Let's hope he can re-create that goal of the year from the last A-League season.

81 Carle about to come on. 52% possession to Japan - we have the rest - that's 48%! Carle is on for Aloisi.

80 Carney gets a yellow for diving. Bloody soft again. Aussies are furious.

79 Japan continue to press. Knocking it around with big confidence. Not looking especially dangerous but they're working our boys hard. Takahara almost turns Milligan but Millsy prevails to clear.

78 Endo makes a dangerous run into box but Schwarzer picks it up.

77 Japan now has massive advantage for those that aren't great at maths. Just kidding... and nervous.

75 Culina crosses in to Aloisi. Now he has three goals. DISASTER for Australia now. Grella is off. He gets a straight red for an elbow. Very harsh, looks accidental. Can't believe it was five minutes ago we scored...

74 Cahill wins a free kick. Emmo is takin it. Not in range but crosses in. Cleared by Nakamura.

72 Japan have had the run of play, and looked likely to score so it's not that surprising in a way. Ahhh! Anyway, they now have a spring in the step. At least we're on equal terms still.

71 GOAL. Disaster. Japan equalise. Soft goal from us. Defensive confusion. Takahara scores. Hits our left post before going in. Stop craziness.

70 Cahill on for Bresc. Just another note on the corner - the ball went right through everyone - us and them. Aloisi was far post.

69 GOAL!!!! Aloisi scores off a Kewell corner. Left foot from Aloisi... hits top bar then goes in. Jubilation! Go crazy.

68 Cahill warms up.

67 Schwarzer came close to another mistake. He proved cool in the end though, but it was almost a one on one with an attacker boring down on him fast.

66 Endo takes a long shot. Goes wide to the right though but we're still not shutting these blokes down.

65 Arnie lookin' stressed. Culina has plenty of time on right for cross. Nice cross but ends in disappointment to be cleared.

64 Kewell gets a yellow for diving. Hearts in mouths... we thought he might have got a penalty there. Borderline.

63 Kewell looking very up for it. Lost a man with magic to take a shot but got deflected. Let's hope it becomes his night.

61 Think the sub may prove fruitful. Dukes was being HEAVILY marked, so we'll see. Carney concedes free kick outta frustration on Takahara. Milligan wins ball for Japan but sends very average long ball out to left. Aussies still have ball and looking to ease the pressure we were soaking up.

60 Kewell on for Viduka. INTERESTING!

58 We are inches from conceding a goal. Pressing calmly by Japanese. Real problems for us right now. We look shambolic at the mo.

57 Mad scramble in the box after a Schwarz fumble. Long shot, left foot, defelcted from edge of box dropped followed by scramble. We escape. Just. Again. Kewell warrms up.

56 Nakamura beats Emerton in box for a shot. Off a defender - luckily - to concede a corner. They def look sharper.

55 Long ball with Takahara fast approaching. Schwarz picks up. Any hesitation may have proved fatal though.

54 Japan 6, Aus 3 - don't panic - but that's the shot count!

53 Japan seem to be absorbing our attacks fairly easily. Seem to have men wherever and whenever it's needed. Foul from Emerton on Endo near half way.

52 Endo combines with Nakamura but Aus win back ball. Carney seems to have quite a bit of space in this second half.

51 Bresc bursts through midfield, doing it on his own. Takes to right, goes for cross, out for throw in. Japan get back ball through Suzuki.

50 Carney beats Kaji on left. Okay cross but taken by Kawaguchi.

49 Emmo now back to make a crucial tackle in defence... nice display of his fitness again.

48 Japan building again through Kaji. Neill tracks and defends well, catching ball on chest. Carney again looks good with ball on left. Now Emmo builds.. takes a cross/shot but caught safely.

47 No change to the Roos by the way. And I forgot to say before: wouldn't mind seeing Carle get a run in this one. Someone needs to do something...

46 Japan has come out firing. Nakamura has an unbelievable shot at goal. Equally brilliant save from Schwarzer. Not good for Aussies.


Half time: Very frustraing for both sides, basically. Both sides have had their chances, but they've been mainly half chances. Japan have looked the better with a couple of real chances in front of goal. Carney is looking like he's headed for another top-notch performance. No real penetration still from our guys. Strikers aside, no one in the midfield is really taking charge.

The introduction of Cahill and Kewell should light things up though. We're missing that element of burst/creativity from that pair. Bresc is beating a few more players in this match and has combined okay a couple of times, but he doesn't look like he can do it on his own.

Aloisi is trying to hold the ball up, and Viduka is looking like he has some spark - but no midfield options are presenting themselves to those two when a moment arises.

All up, reasonably impressive given the strength of the opposition. Japan are looking more fluid in their passing but we're doing okay. Not many highlights to speak of. Nothing spectacular - but not craptacular either. So there you go.

46 Half time whistle blows.

45 Emmo beats opponent with sheer pace to spark up Aussie attack. Just cleared in box though. FANTASTIC run from Emmo.

44 Cat and mouse stuff. Japan looking to hold onto ball until half time. Seem content to knock it about in their half. Finally gets played before... only to see it returned. Now it's getting boring... Milligan manahes to win it back!

43 Back after server went bonkers for a sec. Carney throw in, deep in Japan half. Six Japan defenders in box.

40 Fair bit of bustle in wall... Emmo is pissed for the usual reasons. Straight into wall... Anti climatic.. But then Takahara takes another swing only to see it fly too high.

39 Free kick conceded in dangerous position. Nakamura's range... Beauchamp conceded it... Schwarz sets wall.

38 We're still looking exposed on the right with Japan using the flank repeatedly. Seems to be getting worse, actually.

37 Japan seem to have the momentum again.

36 Almost disaster! Japan have best chance by far just now... Nakamura bursts to cross accurately. Scruffy save from Schwarz but where was the defence? Out for goal kick... cleared.

35 Carney and Bresc combine beautifully on right. Again, ends in nothing though - with Carney slipping.

34 The game is now walking pace... seriously! From both sides. Some phases are looking slo-mo.

33 Players having drinks with a pause in game following Aloisi who concedes a free kick and gets a yellow in process. Bloody unlucky to pick it... very very soft from the ref.

32 Nakamura hits beautiful ball into Aus half. Lucky for Beauchamp... did very well to save us.

31 Bres concedes free kick near half way. Neill gets shrugged off in the box and Japan unlucky not to do more with the lapse.

30 Neither side making much of an inroad. Not boring by any stretch, but one of those games where it just seems that both sides are just cancelling each other out...

29 Very see-sawing now in terms of possession. Dave Carney takes a swing with confidence but it goes well over.

28 Aloisi holds up ball but looks for help on the right. No one there. Great ball from Neill to Emerton who makes it to the box before being dispossessed.

27 Japan building up slowly. They're still pressing and looking for a defensive lapse on the left.

26 Tempo has slowed right down. Bit lof long ball from both sides. Japan just hit one that just ended up going to no one.

25 Best corner so far. Dukes heads and connects okay, but skids off for a goal kick.

24 Bresciano on run from half way.. but lack of support. Culina plays ball to Bresc who knocks to right who crosses back in... Japan kick out for throw in though. Aus get back ball... now win corner.

22 Unbelievable touch from Dukes in box from throw-in. Looked hungry to nail the shot but collects Nakazawa instead. Now Japan get back ball..

21 Throw in to Aus on right through Emmo.

20 First time shot from out left from Japan. On target but not enough power to beat Schwarzer.

19 Carney sends ball to Dukes. He tries to shake someone off in box but gets dispossessed.

18 Japan continue to play dangerously around Aus box. Defence looking okay... better than first two games but still far from convincing...

17 Japan win ball. Takahara released with well placed long ball. Nakamura appeals for penalty kick but it's waved away.

16 Japan now in stride despite Aus starting opening minutes stronger. Viduka looking fairly heavily marked. Just lost ball on half way due to close marking.

15 Goal kick for Aus.

14 Now Japan attacking from right. Ball into box for Neill to clear cooly. Japan maintain possession and continue to look very controlled... Australia sitting VERY DEEP at mo.

13 Takahara tries flick with no luck. Emmo releases Bresc on right but Komano saves for Japan.

12 Japan looking fairly dominant on the left. Milligan and Neill in mix-up. Corner won for Japan.

11 Deep ball into our box. Schwarz comes out to save confidently save though.

10 Dukes turns and shoots. Great effort but straight to keeper.

9 Grella plays ball to Carney. Aussies looking more confident on the ball... when they have it.

8 Aussie chants go up. Dangerous (super danderous) cross from left into Japan. Near post missed by inches. Two Aussies back in time... just. Bloody close call.

7 Neill clears and goes long. Two defenders on Aloisi who win back ball for Japan. Australia now holding ball but Neill hits another one long to lose ball.

6 Deep ball into Schwarzer who easily saves. Japan continue to press.

5 Bresc takes corner to no avail. Grella concedes penalty near half way. Japan knockin' it around. Japan holding possession. Suzuki very involved.

4 Emmo attacks from right. Gets to box, Kamano tackles and concedes corner.

3 Midfield tussle for ball. Bit of ping pong and turnover happening.

2 Bright start from Aussies in Japan turf. Aloisi called offside following promising move though.

1 Kick off! Carney off to a flying start and hits a cross from left. Out for goal kick though sadly...

Australia to kick off. Interestingly, Bresciano and Viduka have the honours...

Japan looking at a 4-4-2.

National anthems playing. Japan first. Silence please!

Japan starting list to come (hopefully) but it is unchanged from the side that romped it home against Vietnam. That means five of the players who faced Aus in the World Cup are in the side.

Japanese goalkeeper Kawaguchi had a dream earlier this week that he saved an Australian penalty. Let's hope it's not an omen and we end up going to extra-time penalties!

Basic weather report!: The sun is out and as predicted, very warm and humid - hotter than Bangkok but the boys should be acclimatised.

Socceroos starting XI: Schwarzer, Neill, Culina, Beauchamp, Emerton, Viduka, Grella, Aloisi, Carney, Milligan and Bresciano. Likely to start with a 3-5-2 formation.

Tim Cahill says: "It's going to be a fiery night in Vietnam."

And with that, welcome to FourFourTwo's minute by minute for the Socceroos' crunch match against the Blue Samurai... may the best team win.