BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Luke Wilkshire’s 70th-minute penalty allowed 10-man Australia to salvage a 1-1 draw against Japan on Tuesday in a battle of the Asian heavyweights in World Cup qualifying.
Australia played a man down after substitute Mark Milligan was ejected in the 55th minute, and Japan capitalized 10 minutes later when Keisuke Honda dribbled along the byline and crossed perfectly for Yuzo Kurihara to tap in.
Wilkshire equalized five minutes later after Saudi referee Khalil Al Ghamdi awarded a contentious penalty against Atsuto Uchida for pulling back Alex Brosque on the goal line as Australia took a corner.
Japan, which also had a man sent off in the 89th minute, leads group B with seven points from three matches. Australia has drawn its opening two matches.
