Keisuke Honda scored a dramatic injury-time penalty to book Japan's place at the 2014 World Cup after a breathless 1-1 draw with Australia on Tuesday night.
Japan needed only a point to qualify for the tournament for a fifth straight time in front of 62,172 expectant fans at Saitama Stadium, but a goal against the run of play from Tommy Oar gave Australia a stunning 82nd-minute lead.
With time running out on Japan's chances of punching its World Cup ticket at home for the first time, however, Australia conceded a penalty for a Matt McKay handball, and Honda stepped up to ram it home and start the celebrations.
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