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2006 FIFA World Cup Group F

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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.[1] 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

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Brazil 3 3 0 0 7 1 +6 9 Advance to knockout stage
2  Australia 3 1 1 1 5 5 0 4
3  Croatia 3 0 2 1 2 3 −1 2
4  Japan 3 0 1 2 2 7 −5 1
Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Tie-breaking criteria

Matches

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All times local (CEST/UTC+2)

Australia vs Japan

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This fixture was Australia's first game in the World Cup finals since 1974.[2] Prior to the game, Japan officials had reportedly suggested that Australia were an aggressive team prone to "dirty tackles".[3]

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.[3]

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.[4]

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,[3] struck the loose ball to score Australia's first World Cup finals goal.[5]

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.[5] Deep into injury time, substitute John Aloisi ran through the Japan defence and scored Australia's third goal via a low left-footed strike,[5] sealing Australia's 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.[4] 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.[3] Japan coach Zico remarked that referees should not have to make such apologies and that FIFA need to sort out such incidents.[6]

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.[5]

Australia 3–1 Japan
 [Report 1]
Attendance: 46,000
Australia
Japan
GK1Mark Schwarzer
CB3Craig MooreYellow card 58'downward-facing red arrow 61'
CB2Lucas Neill
CB14Scott Chipperfield
RM20Luke Wilkshiredownward-facing red arrow 75'
CM7Brett Emerton
CM13Vince GrellaYellow card 33'
CM23Mark Brescianodownward-facing red arrow 53'
LM5Jason Culina
CF10Harry Kewell
CF9Mark Viduka (c)
Substitutions:
MF4Tim CahillYellow card 69'upward-facing green arrow 53'
FW19Joshua Kennedyupward-facing green arrow 61'
FW15John AloisiYellow card 78'upward-facing green arrow 75'
Manager:
Netherlands Guus Hiddink
GK23Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi
CB19Keisuke Tsuboidownward-facing red arrow 56'
CB5Tsuneyasu Miyamoto (c)Yellow card 31'
CB22Yuji Nakazawa
RM3Yūichi Komano
CM7Hidetoshi Nakata
CM15Takashi Fukunishi
LM14Alex
AM10Shunsuke Nakamura
CF9Naohiro TakaharaYellow card 40'
CF13Atsushi Yanagisawadownward-facing red arrow 79'
Substitutions:
DF2Teruyuki MoniwaYellow card 68'upward-facing green arrow 56'downward-facing red arrow 90+1'
MF18Shinji Onoupward-facing green arrow 79'
FW16Masashi Oguroupward-facing green arrow 90+1'
Manager:
Brazil Zico

Man of the Match:
Tim Cahill (Australia)

Assistant referees:
Dramane Danté (Mali)
Mamadou N'Doye (Senegal)
Fourth official:
Éric Poulat (France)
Fifth official:
Vincent Texier (France)

Brazil vs Croatia

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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.[7]

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.[8]

Brazil 1–0 Croatia
 [Report 2]
Attendance: 72,000
Brazil
Croatia
GK1Dida
RB2Cafu (c)
CB3Lúcio
CB4Juan
LB6Roberto Carlos
CM5EmersonYellow card 42'
CM11Zé Roberto
AM8Kaká
AM10Ronaldinho
CF7Adriano
CF9Ronaldodownward-facing red arrow 70'
Substitutions:
FW23Robinhoupward-facing green arrow 70'
Manager:
Carlos Alberto Parreira
GK1Stipe Pletikosa
CB7Dario Šimić
CB4Robert KovačYellow card 67'
CB3Josip Šimunić
RM2Darijo Srna
CM5Igor TudorYellow card 90'
CM10Niko Kovač (c)Yellow card 32'downward-facing red arrow 41'
LM8Marko Babić
AM19Niko Kranjčar
CF17Ivan Klasnićdownward-facing red arrow 56'
CF9Dado Pršo
Substitutions:
MF16Jerko Lekoupward-facing green arrow 41'
FW18Ivica Olićupward-facing green arrow 56'
Manager:
Zlatko Kranjčar

Man of the Match:
Kaká (Brazil)

Assistant referees:
José Ramírez (Mexico)
Héctor Vergara (Canada)
Fourth official:
Mohamed Guezzaz (Morocco)
Fifth official:
Brahim Djezzar (Algeria)

Japan vs Croatia

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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”),[9] with the same outlet reporting for the Japanese the headline “Zico: Presing od prve minute” (“Zico: Pressing from the first minute”).[9]

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.[10]

Japan 0–0 Croatia
[Report 3]
Attendance: 41,000
Japan
Croatia
GK23Yoshikatsu KawaguchiYellow card 42'
RB21Akira Kaji
CB5Tsuneyasu Miyamoto (c)Yellow card 21'
CB22Yuji Nakazawa
LB14AlexYellow card 72'
RM7Hidetoshi Nakata
CM15Takashi Fukunishidownward-facing red arrow 46'
LM8Mitsuo Ogasawara
AM10Shunsuke Nakamura
CF9Naohiro Takaharadownward-facing red arrow 85'
CF13Atsushi Yanagisawadownward-facing red arrow 61'
Substitutions:
MF17Junichi Inamotoupward-facing green arrow 46'
FW20Keiji Tamadaupward-facing green arrow 61'
MF16Masashi Oguroupward-facing green arrow 85'
Manager:
Brazil Zico
GK1Stipe Pletikosa
CB7Dario Šimić
CB4Robert KovačYellow card 32'
CB3Josip Šimunić
RM2Darijo SrnaYellow card 69'downward-facing red arrow 87'
CM5Igor Tudordownward-facing red arrow 70'
CM10Niko Kovač (c)
LM8Marko Babić
AM19Niko Kranjčardownward-facing red arrow 78'
CF17Ivan Klasnić
CF9Dado Pršo
Substitutions:
FW18Ivica Olićupward-facing green arrow 70'
MF14Luka Modrićupward-facing green arrow 78'
FW22Ivan Bošnjakupward-facing green arrow 87'
Manager:
Croatia Zlatko Kranjčar

Man of the Match:
Hidetoshi Nakata (Japan)

Assistant referees:
Peter Hermans (Belgium)
Walter Vromans (Belgium)
Fourth official:
Kevin Stott (United States)
Fifth official:
Gregory Barkey (United States)

Brazil vs Australia

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Both teams headed into the fixture having won their opening games. The two teams had met each other 7 times prior,[11] 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.[12] 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.[12]

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.[13] FIFA subsequently commenced disciplinary procedures against Kewell, alleging that he repeatedly insulted Merk,[14] but the disciplinary committee eventually cleared Kewell of any wrongdoing.[15]

Brazil 2–0 Australia
 [Report 4]
Attendance: 66,000
Referee: Markus Merk (Germany)
Brazil
Australia
GK1Dida
RB2Cafu (c)Yellow card 29'
CB3Lúcio
CB4Juan
LB6Roberto Carlos
CM5Emersondownward-facing red arrow 72'
CM11Zé Roberto
AM8Kaká
AM10Ronaldinho
CF7Adrianodownward-facing red arrow 88'
CF9RonaldoYellow card 31'downward-facing red arrow 72'
Substitutions:
MF17Gilberto Silvaupward-facing green arrow 72'
FW23RobinhoYellow card 83'upward-facing green arrow 72'
FW21Fredupward-facing green arrow 88'
Manager:
Carlos Alberto Parreira
GK1Mark Schwarzer
CB3Craig Mooredownward-facing red arrow 69'
CB2Lucas Neill
CB6Tony Popovicdownward-facing red arrow 41'
RM7Brett EmertonYellow card 13'
CM13Vince Grella
LM14Scott Chipperfield
RW5Jason CulinaYellow card 39'
AM4Tim Cahilldownward-facing red arrow 56'
LW21Mile Sterjovski
CF9Mark Viduka (c)
Substitutions:
MF23Mark Brescianoupward-facing green arrow 41'
FW10Harry Kewellupward-facing green arrow 56'
FW15John Aloisiupward-facing green arrow 69'
Manager:
Netherlands Guus Hiddink

Man of the Match:
Zé Roberto (Brazil)

Assistant referees:
Christian Schräer (Germany)
Jan-Hendrik Salver (Germany)
Fourth official:
Marco Rodríguez (Mexico)
Fifth official:
Leonel Leal (Costa Rica)

Japan vs Brazil

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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.[16] This fixture was Ronaldo's 17th successive World Cup match, the longest streak by a current player at that time.[16]

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.[16]

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.[16]

With the victory, Brazil completed 10 successive victories at the World Cup.[16] Japan's goal was the first time Brazil had conceded in 461 minutes of football.[16] Ronaldo's 13th and 14th World Cup goals equalled the all-time record of 14 set by West Germany's Gerd Müller,[16] and he also became the 20th player to score at three different World Cups.[16]

Japan 1–4 Brazil
 [Report 5]
Attendance: 65,000
Referee: Éric Poulat (France)
Japan
Brazil
GK23Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi
RB21Akira KajiYellow card 40'
CB19Keisuke Tsuboi
CB22Yuji Nakazawa (c)
LB14Alex
RM8Mitsuo Ogasawaradownward-facing red arrow 56'
CM7Hidetoshi Nakata
CM17Junichi Inamoto
LM10Shunsuke Nakamura
CF11Seiichiro Makidownward-facing red arrow 60'
CF20Keiji Tamada
Substitutions:
DF6Kōji Nakataupward-facing green arrow 56'
FW9Naohiro Takaharaupward-facing green arrow 60'downward-facing red arrow 66'
FW16Masashi Oguroupward-facing green arrow 66'
Manager:
Brazil Zico
GK1Dida (c)downward-facing red arrow 82'
RB13Cicinho
CB3Lúcio
CB4Juan
LB16GilbertoYellow card 44'
RM8Kakádownward-facing red arrow 71'
CM19Juninho
CM17Gilberto Silva
LM10Ronaldinhodownward-facing red arrow 71'
CF23Robinho
CF9Ronaldo
Substitutions:
MF11Zé Robertoupward-facing green arrow 71'
MF20Ricardinhoupward-facing green arrow 71'
GK12Rogério Ceniupward-facing green arrow 82'
Manager:
Carlos Alberto Parreira

Man of the Match:
Ronaldo (Brazil)

Assistant referees:
Lionel Dagorne (France)
Vincent Texier (France)
Fourth official:
Jerome Damon (South Africa)
Fifth official:
Enock Molefe (South Africa)

Croatia vs Australia

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The fixture was marred by numerous referring mistakes and controversies, resulting in referee Graham Poll being dismissed from the remainder of the tournament.[17] Shortly after, Poll announced his retirement from international football altogether.[18]

In an interview in 2022, former Australia forward John Aloisi recalled the fixture being 'pure chaos'.[19]

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.[20]

Croatia 2–2 Australia
 [Report 6]
Attendance: 52,000
Referee: Graham Poll (England)
Croatia
Australia
GK1Stipe PletikosaYellow card 70'
CB7Dario ŠimićYellow card 32' Yellow-red card 85'
CB13Stjepan Tomasdownward-facing red arrow 83'
CB3Josip ŠimunićYellow card 61' Yellow card 90' Yellow-red card 90+3'[note 1]
RM2Darijo Srna
CM5Igor TudorYellow card 38'
CM10Niko Kovač (c)
LM8Marko Babić
AM19Niko Kranjčardownward-facing red arrow 65'
CF18Ivica Olićdownward-facing red arrow 74'
CF9Dado Pršo
Substitutions:
MF16Jerko Lekoupward-facing green arrow 65'
MF14Luka Modrićupward-facing green arrow 74'
FW17Ivan Klasnićupward-facing green arrow 83'
Manager:
Zlatko Kranjčar
GK18Zeljko Kalac
CB3Craig Moore
CB2Lucas Neill
CB14Scott Chipperfielddownward-facing red arrow 75'
RM21Mile Sterjovskidownward-facing red arrow 71'
CM13Vince Grelladownward-facing red arrow 63'
CM7Brett EmertonYellow card 81' Yellow-red card 87'
LM5Jason Culina
AM4Tim Cahill
AM10Harry Kewell
CF9Mark Viduka (c)
Substitutions:
FW15John Aloisiupward-facing green arrow 63'
MF23Mark Brescianoupward-facing green arrow 71'
FW19Joshua Kennedyupward-facing green arrow 75'
Manager:
Netherlands Guus Hiddink

Man of the Match:
Harry Kewell (Australia)

Assistant referees:
Philip Sharp (England)
Glen Turner (England)
Fourth official:
Kevin Stott (United States)
Fifth official:
Gregory Barkey (United States)

See also

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Notes

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  1. ↑ Šimunić was given three yellow cards in the match: the referee (Graham Poll) failed to send him off the pitch after the second yellow, only doing so after the third. The original FIFA match report listed all three yellow cards, but was revised shortly after, with the second yellow card (90') not being recorded.

References

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  1. ↑ Saaid, Hamdan (7 February 2007). "World Cup 2006 – Match Details". RSSSF. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  2. ↑ Maasdorp, James (12 June 2016). "Looking back: Socceroos beat Japan in 2006 World Cup, 10 years on". ABC News.
  3. 1 2 3 4 van Happen, Jan (13 June 2006). "Cahill's call to action inspires Socceroos' dramatic finale". The Guardian.
  4. 1 2 "'Deserved' win delights Hiddink". BBC Sport - World Cup 2006. 12 June 2006.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Australia 3-1 Japan". BBC Sport - World Cup 2006. 12 June 2006.
  6. ↑ "Zico angry over Cahill penalty comments". ABC News. 16 June 2006.
  7. ↑ "Brazil 1-0 Croatia". BBC Sport. 13 June 2006.
  8. ↑ "Kaka goal gives Brazil record-breaking win". ABC News. 14 June 2006.
  9. 1 2 Mackey, Rob (18 June 2006). "FINAL: Japan 0 - Croatia 0 - The New York Times". NY Times.
  10. ↑ "Croatia miss penalty in Japan stalemate". ABC News. 18 June 2006.
  11. ↑ "Australia national football team: record v Brazil". 11v11.
  12. 1 2 Ingle, Sean (19 June 2006). "Brazil's luck makes up for a lack of fire". The Guardian.
  13. ↑ "Harry Kewell on Shootout: Brazil 'embarrassed' v Australia at 2006 World Cup due to referee's calls". Fox Sports. 16 March 2017.
  14. ↑ "Kewell to face disciplinary hearing". Socceroos. 21 June 2006.
  15. ↑ van Happen, Jan (21 June 2006). "Merk angers Fifa as Kewell is cleared of verbal abuse". The Guardian.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Japan 1-4 Brazil". BBC Sport. 22 June 2006.
  17. ↑ "Ref Poll sent home from World Cup". BBC Sport. 28 June 2006.
  18. ↑ Lutz, Tom (30 June 2006). "Poll retires from international game". The Guardian.
  19. ↑ Bungard, Matt (17 November 2022). "EXCLUSIVE: John Aloisi recalls 'pure chaos' that rocked World Cup in Socceroos' clash with Croatia". Nine.com.au.
  20. ↑ "Croatia 2-2 Australia". BBC Sport. 22 June 2006.

Reports

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  1. ↑
  2. ↑
  3. ↑
  4. ↑
  5. ↑
  6. ↑
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