Japan's 0-0 draw with Australia on Wednesday night was far from being the disastrous result that Socceroos manager Pim Verbeek warned it would be during his pre-match mind games.

Bahrain's injury-time win over Uzbekistan later the same day, on the other hand, could yet prove to be a fly in the ointment.

Japan was hugely unlucky not to take all three points after a thoroughly impressive performance in Yokohama, but a share of the spoils nonetheless leaves Takeshi Okada's men in a strong position in second place in the qualifying group.