Australia say fitness key to beating Japan

OEHRINGEN, Germany, June 13 (Reuters) Australia's players believe their superior fitness was the key to their remarkable 3-1 World Cup win over Japan in Kaiserslautern.

The Socceroos hammered in three goals in the last eight minutes to come from behind against a tiring Japanese side in a match played in temperatures over 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit) yesterday.

Australia coach Guus Hiddink had put his players through a gruelling fitness campaign in the last month that often left them near exhaustion. The extra work paid off as they registered their first win at a World Cup.

''Guus has been flogging the whip a bit with us and he knew that we needed to be fit because it's not about one or two games, it's about a tournament and I think that showed a bit at the end,'' defender Lucas Neill told reporters.

Substitute striker Josh Kennedy, who has been based in Germany for the past six years, said the Australians could sense the Japanese were wilting in the heat.

''It's the hottest day I think we've had since we've been in Europe,'' he said.

''I think we've coped with it pretty well and the Japanese didn't and I think towards the end of the game we showed that we are in good physical shape.'' Australia's victory ignited wild celebrations at home and in the streets of Kaiserslautern but there was no rest for the players when they returned to their camp near Oehringen.

Hiddink had the team back training early today, preparing them for their next Group F match against World Cup champions Brazil.

''It just showed how fit we are. We just went out at the end and ran all over them,'' midfielder Harry Kewell said.'' ''We're fortunate to have six days until the next game and we've now got time to prepare well for that.'' Australia had been given only a slim chance of advancing to the second stage after being drawn with Japan, Brazil and Croatia but their win over the Asian champions has given the players fresh belief that anything is possible.

''If we can go in and nick something against Brazil wouldn't that be fantastic. We don't want anyone to beat us,'' Neill said.

''We play them with confidence and belief that we can get something out of the game.'' Striker John Aloisi, who scored Australia's final goal after Tim Cahill had scored a double to put them ahead, said the Socceroos had nothing to fear from Brazil.

''Brazil have got everything to lose, they're the favourites, they want to beat everyone,'' he said.

''We just want to show that we deserve to be at this level.'' REUTERS PM KP1800