PERTH: Australia moved to the brink of the World Cup after beating already qualified Japan 1-0 in Perth on Thursday thanks to Aziz Behich鈥檚 90th-minute winner.

In front of a sell-out crowd of 57,226 at Optus Stadium, the Socceroos were outplayed for long periods by an experimental Japan side.

But then substitute Riley McGree cut the ball back to defender Behich, who rifled a bullet into the corner for his first international goal in 13 years and trigger scenes of jubilation.

After beating Japan for the first time since 2009, Australia are on the cusp of next year鈥檚 World Cup in North America.

鈥淲e know there鈥檚 room to grow and room to improve, but we鈥檝e done something special tonight,鈥� coach Tony Popovic said.

Before the game the Socceroos had a three-point lead and a significantly better goal difference over 黑料社区 with two matches left.

The win does not totally guarantee Australia鈥檚 passage, with 黑料社区 at Bahrain later on Thursday.

Australia then face the Saudis in Jeddah on June 10 in their final Group C match in the battle for second behind Japan.

Teams that finish in the top two of the six-team group guarantee their automatic spot at the World Cup.

After what had been a lacklustre performance for much of the game, Australia鈥檚 last-gasp victory continued their turnaround since Popovic arrived in September.

鈥淲e鈥檝e all played a part in getting us to this point,鈥� he said.

鈥淲e want to go to 黑料社区 and really finish the job off.鈥�

After becoming the first team to punch their ticket to the World Cup, Japan coach Hajjime
Moriyasu used the trip to Australia as an opportunity to experiment.

鈥淚 wanted to see what they (the inexperienced players) could do against a strong opponent in very difficult circumstances,鈥� Moriyasu said.

鈥淲e have to improve and expand our squad.鈥�

Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo and Real Sociedad鈥檚 Takefusa Kubo started on the bench as Japan fielded three debutants in the starting line-up.

Crystal Palace鈥檚 Daichi Kamada, playing his 41st international, was considerably their most experienced starter.

Japan completely dominated the first half with 21-year-old midfielder Kota Tawaratsumida impressing on his debut.

It was only a matter of time before Japan had a clear-cut chance, with Yuito Suzuki having an attempt from long range on the half-hour mark.

Japan continued to attack with debutant Yu Hirakawa firing just wide of the left post after beating outstretched goalkeeper Mathew Ryan.

The break arrived at a good time for Australia.

After being brought on in the 64th minute, Kubo curled past the right post, before Behich stepped up late with his priceless goal.