Keisuke Honda scored a dramatic injury-time penalty to book Japan's place at the 2014 World Cup after a breathless 1-1 draw with Australia on Tuesday night.

Japan needed only a point to qualify for the tournament for a fifth straight time in front of 62,172 expectant fans at Saitama Stadium, but a goal against the run of play from Tommy Oar gave Australia a stunning 82nd-minute lead.

With time running out on Japan's chances of punching its World Cup ticket at home for the first time, however, Australia conceded a penalty for a Matt McKay handball, and Honda stepped up to ram it home and start the celebrations.