football

A fascinating game with a much improved performance from Australia. Up against an in-form Japan, at home, at a stadium they haven't lost at for yonks, with qualification completed if they got a result, we were really up against it. In a surprisingly open game we almost pulled off a famous victory before having to settle for a draw.

A match that was talked up as a comfortable win for Australia was very nearly a disaster of epic proportions. As it was, we were lucky to escape with a draw. Jordan defeated Japan overnight meaning we've slipped to third in our group. It's going to be very tough from here to ensure we achieve a top-2 spot.

It's hard to know what to make of this match. We were up against a strong Romanian side that dominated early and deserved their 1-0 lead. We equalised just before half-time through a penalty. In the second half, we were much improved, went ahead and looked in control, only to concede two late goals to lost the match. Not bad for our first hit-out for 2013 I suppose, but we should be able to close out matches like this.

North Korea played just before us and won 4-0, so we knew we had to win by +5 or better to ensure first place. The new football broadcasting deal meant this match was streamed live from SBS's website which I think is fantastic. And we got the job done.

A much improved performance, albeit against a relative minnow in world football. Osieck was also more adventurous with his selections giving several newcomers a start and they didn't let him down. The big margin was very handy as we've reined in North Korea's goal difference in just one match. So we'll start our last game on a level footing with them. Much better but one more good game still required.

We got off to a flying start with a goal to Archie Thompson in just the fourth minute. But we again made heavy going of it, eventually conceding in the second half and drawing the match. Not a disastrous result, but one that leaves us with no room for error. We must win our last two games by significant margins to ensure we account for North Korea's better goal difference. Improvement still needed.

Our first ever match in this relatively new tournament was a little uninspiring. We fielded a pretty strong team but made hard work of our opponents and we were a little fortunate to win. We couldn't afford to drop points so we should be grateful that Brett Emerton scored with just a few minutes to go. Improvement needed.

All up, a pleasing result. It was a friendly and both teams fielded experimental and youthful line-ups. We came back from 0-1 down against a side that dominated us early and turned it around to dominate the second half and win 2-1.

After a lacklustre first half from both teams, Australia looked to be getting on top in the second and pressing for the win. Then disaster, caught on the break and down 0-1 with 15 minutes to go. Almost miraculously we turned it around in five minutes when Tim Cahill (who else) headed home, followed by Archie Thompson with his third goal in three games. A priceless away win that sees us climb to second spot in the group at the half-way stage of the final round.

Groan. What a disaster - a 1-2 loss to a weaker team. We were out-thought and out-played and "something must be done". It's not panic stations yet. Realistically we should still finish 2nd in our group and qualify for Brazil directly. But another loss could make it very difficult and I'm sure everyone would rather avoid play-offs, especially as the 5th-placed South American team lies at the end of that.