Special: FIFA WORLD CUP GERMANY 2006>>>

Players of Netherlands celebrates the victory over Japan after the first round match of the World Cup 2006 Group F against Australia at the Fritz-Walter-Stadion in Kaiserslautern, Germany, June 12, 2006. (Xinhua photo)

Australia staged a great comeback to score three late goals to beat Japan 3-1 in their opening first World Cup Group F tie on Monday while the Czech Republic and Italy easily won their openers.

In Kaiserslautern, Tim Cahill who came on in the second half turned around the table with two superb goals.

The Everton player scored Australia's first ever goal in the World Cup finals to level the scoreline in the 84th minute when he took advantage of a goalmouth scramble to shoot home.

In the 89th minute, he made it 2-1 as his shot from the edge of the box hit Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi's right-hand post and flew into the far corner.

Another second half substitute John Aloisi wrapped up the win, charging through on goal to bury the ball in the left-hand corner.

In Gelsenkirchen, thanks to a double-effort from Tomas Rosicky,the Czechs scored a comfortable 3-0 win over their Group E rivals the United States.

"We're really satisfied with the victory and how we played," said the midfielder, who has just signed for Arsenal from Borussia Dortmund.

He also said the match was not as easy as the result showed: " They were tough opponents and I am not sure that the score can indicate how tough they were."

Rosicky, who has been a constant thorn for the U.S. defence, scored his first on the 36th minute with a 20-meter drive and seeing the ball swerved into the top corner, giving Kasey Keller no chance.

After the interval, he again coolly finished into the top corner with the outside of his right boot at the 76th minute after Pavel Nedved of Juventus made his way into the box and put Rosicky through on goal.

Jan Koller, Rosicky's teammate for both club and the national side, opened the scoring in just 5 minutes for the Czechs, who had made eight appearances in the World Cup Finals as the Czechoslovakia played a successful qualifying campaign to return to the tournament after a 16-year absence.

Editor: Donald