Japan are first to seal qualification for Brazil World Cup.. just like in 2006 and 2010

Got their wish: Japanese supporters hold a banner reading 'Go to the land of promise' before the match

Japan have become the first team to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, with an injury-time penalty sealing 1-1 draw they needed on home soil.

                            

CSKA Moscow star Keisuke Honda netted from the spot in the 91st minute to seal Japan's qualification after Tommy Oar had put Australia ahead nine minutes earlier.

The match saw Japan - who counted Manchester United's Shinji Kagawa among their ranks - reach the World Cup first for the third qualifying competition in a row. 

                            

The side, currently managed by Italian boss Alberto Zaccheroni, also sealed their place for the 2010 and 2006 tournaments before any other qualifying team.

The result did little for Austrailia's chances of qualification, but the performance will give Holger Osieck's men reason to believe they can make the second qualifying spot their own.

                   

Australia, who handed call-ups to Mark Schwarzer, Lucas Neill and Tim Cahill, are currently in a four-way tussle with Jordan, Oman and Iraq, but results in their remaining fixtures against Jordan and Iraq should see them through.

                    

The third-placed team in the group will play their equivalent from Group A, who will then face an intercontinental play-off against a team from South America.