[bbfan1991]

Kagawa shines in draw

Shinji Kagawa's long season came to a close with Japan's 1-1 draw with Australia.

The prospective United new boy impressed in a pulsating World Cup qualifer as he and Keisuke Honda drove their team forward.

The visitors went ahead when Yuzo Kurihara profited from some fine work by Honda but the Socceroos levelled, despite being down to 10 men after Mark Milligan's sending off. A controversial penalty by Luke Wilkshire squared the match and both teams finished equal in terms of personnel too as Kurihara was dismissed late on.

Kagawa was denied by Mark Schwarzer after firing in a low shot in the closing stages before being substituted in injury time. Victory for Japan would have virtually sealed qualification for the finals but a draw will still be considered a good result for the Asian challengers