Australia heap pressure on Japan ahead of showdown

HANOI, July 18 (Reuters) Australia have begun to turn the screw on Japan ahead of their Asian Cup quarter-final on Saturday by claiming the pressure was all on the defending champions.

The Socceroos came into the tournament as favourites but flirted with disaster in the first round, scraping through after thumping co-hosts Thailand 4-0 in their final Group A game.

Holders Japan comfortably finished top of Group B and are desperate to atone for a painful 3-1 defeat by Australia at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Trailing 1-0 after 84 minutes in Kaiserslautern, two goals from Tim Cahill and one from John Aloisi gave Australia a stirring victory and left Japan's World Cup campaign in tatters.

''Hopefully we won't leave it quite so late this time,'' striker Aloisi told reporters today.

''Japan are probably the favourites as they're defending champions.

''They've been playing well and getting better results than us.

Japan against Australia would have been a dream final but we can't change the fact we will be playing them now.'' Cahill is not assured of a start against Japan despite coming off the bench to rescue Australia again in their opening 1-1 draw with Oman, but is itching to play.

FOND MEMORIES ''It's an emotional time for me to play against Japan,'' said the Everton midfielder, who has yet to start a game in the Asian Cup.

''I have a lot of fond memories and I really want to play. But if I don't start maybe I can come on and have an impact on the game.'' Cahill sought to play down suggestions emerging from the Japan camp that there would be an element of needle in Saturday's game after Australia's late fightback at the World Cup.

''I wouldn't say we destroyed Japan,'' he said. ''It was a competitive game. They have a lot of players with great ability and we have a lot of respect for their team.'' Australia went on to reach the last 16 at the World Cup, losing to eventual winners Italy only after a controversial injury-time penalty by Francesco Totti.

Cahill said Saturday's showdown with Japan was an equally important game for the Socceroos.

''This is the biggest game in the tournament for us and we have to go into it to win like last time,'' he said. ''We started poorly but have finally found our feet.

''The climate has to be put to one side. We have to get on with it and play football.'' REUTERS TB PM1556