Japan face early exit after late collapse

KAISERSLAUTERN, June 13 (Reuters) Japan's inability to kill off games left the Asian champions facing an early World Cup exit after yesteday's 3-1 defeat by Australia.

There was little positive to salvage from the Group F opener as coach Zico and his players picked through the debris of their stunning late collapse to the Socceroos.

''It's difficult to put into words,'' said Japan captain Tsuneyasu Miyamoto, his eyes still glazed from the shock. ''We controlled the game for 80 minutes...then it was gone.'' A disputed first-half goal from Shunsuke Nakamura was wiped out in eight minutes of madness just as the finish line was in sight for Japan.

Two goals from Tim Cahill broke Japanese hearts and an injury-time third from John Aloisi added insult to injury and already leaves trigger-shy Japan struggling on goal difference.

''The third goal was a kick in the teeth,'' said Zico. ''That will make it difficult for us.'' The Brazilian was not overstating Japan's task.

The 2002 World Cup co-hosts take on Croatia on June 18 and then face holders Brazil in their final group game four days later with the odds stacked against them.

JAPANESE SHOCKED As Australia's players belted out ''Waltzing Matilda'' in the changing room after the match, the shocked Japanese trudged out to meet the waiting media in a visible state of shock.

''I don't know what went wrong,'' said Miyamoto. ''We just seemed to lack the stamina. The mood in the changing room was obviously very black.'' Zico complained that the heat had played a part in Japan's collapse but they usually adapt well in hot weather.

Japan won the 2004 Asian Cup in furnace-like conditions in China and in the run-up to the Australia clash Zico and Japan's players had said they preferred the heat.

''We had longer to acclimatise in China,'' shrugged Zico. ''We must get over this defeat quickly.'' Zico was out-thought by Australia coach Guus Hiddink, whose bold substitutions put Japan's defence under heavy pressure.

Panic spread throughout Japan's team in the late stages -- just as it did when they squandered a two-goal lead in a 2-2 draw with Germany in a World Cup warm-up.

''We have to work out how to hold on to a lead,'' said Zico. ''We can't afford to lose concentration like that against Croatia.'' Even if Japan manage to solve the riddle, it could be too late to salvage their World Cup campaign.

Reuters DH GC1908