Image:Luke Wilkshire: Scored from the penalty spot to secure a point for Australia against Japan
Luke Wilkshire rescued a point for Australia in a stormy World Cup qualifier with Japan in Brisbane on Tuesday that saw both sides have a player sent off.
Both sides see red in World Cup qualifier
Luke Wilkshire rescued a 1-1 draw for Australia in a stormy World Cup qualifier with Japan in Brisbane on Tuesday that saw both sides end the game with 10 men.
Socceroos midfielder Mark Milligan was the first man to be dismissed, receiving a second yellow card from referee Al Ghamdi Khalil in the 56th minute for a late challenge on Atsuto Uchida.
Japan made the most of their one-man advantage eight minutes later when Keisuke Honda set up Yuzo Kurihara to open the scoring.
In the 64th minute Atsuto Uchida fouled striker Alex Brosque in the box and the referee pointed to the spot.
Dynamo Moscow forward Wilkshire stepped up and converted the spot kick to draw Holger Osieck's men level.
Yuzo Kurihara received his second yellow card in the dying moments for bundling down Brosque on the edge of the box.
From the resulting free-kick Wilkshire drew a smart stop from Japan goalkeeper Ejii Kawashima that denied Australia a dramatic victory.
The draw sees Australia move up to second in Asia qualifying Group B, five points behind leaders Japan, who have played a game more.
