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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 3:10 a.m., Thursday, July 24, 2008

Soccer: Japan tops Australia 2-1 in pre-Olympic friendly

Associated Press

KOBE, Japan — Substitute Shinji Okazaki scored late in the second half Thursday to lift Japan to a 2-1 win over Australia in a tuneup for the men's Olympic football tournament.

Archie Thompson put Australia ahead in the 34th minute but Shinji Kagawa equalized seven minutes later.

Okazaki gave the hosts the win with just two minutes left after picking up a loose ball and firing home from close range.

Japan has been drawn against United States, Nigeria and the Netherlands in a tough first-round Group B in Beijing. They will complete their Olympic preparations with a friendly against Argentina in Tokyo on Tuesday.

Australia faces Argentina, Ivory Coast and Serbia in Group A in Beijing.

Earlier Thursday, Japan's women's team defeated Australia 3-0, getting goals from Homare Sawa, Yuki Nagasato and substitute Karina Maruyama.

Japan's women have been drawn against the U.S., Norway and New Zealand at the Olympics, while Australia's women's team did not qualify.