Socceroos coach Tony Popovic has put aside the disappointment of just falling short of a breakthrough away win over Japan to proudly claim the crucial World Cup qualifying point secured in a gutsy 1-1 draw in Saitama.
Australia were on track to claim their first win over the Samurai Blue in Japan after a horror own goal by Shogo Tanaguchi in the 58th minute delivered the most unlikely of leads in front of 58,730 fans at Saitama Stadium.
Tanaguchi inexplicably tried to clear a Lewis Miller cross with the outside of his right boot instead of using his left, and sliced the ball past goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.
