Tom Rogic was an unused substitute as Australia came within seconds of spoiling Japan’s World Cup party.
The home side needed just a point to ensure qualification but that looked like proving elusive when Tommy Oar gave the Socceroos the lead in the 82nd minute.
However Japan were awarded a 90th minute penalty when former Rangers midfielder Matt McKay handled in the penalty box with Keisuke Honda netting to secure a place in Brazil for the 2002 join hosts.
After the match Tim Cahill said: “It was nearly a perfect performance, coming away and nicking a win and we were unlucky in the end.
“It was a tough game playing these guys as they are a good team. I thought we created some good chances and still defended really well. I think when you look at it we probably would have taken a point beforehand but it’s just hard to take conceding a penalty. It happens in football.
“At the end of the day you can’t change it and we have to deal with it. There are always doubts, but it happens.”
Following their draw in Japan, Australia slipped into third place when Oman won 1-0 against Iraq.
That result means that the Socceroos must beat Jordan and Iraq at home over the next fortnight although they could go through by taking four points if Oman fail to win in their final match away to Jordan.
The top two teams in the group qualify automatically with the third placed nation going into a play off with the third placed side in the other Asian group for a place in Brazil.
Former Hearts defender, Ryan McGowan, who now plays in China was on the bench alongside Rogic.
I can just feel the panic, confussion then the sudden realisation of despair McKay felt when he remembered he didn’t have a Scottish referee .