Russia-bound Japan was condemned to a 1-0 defeat away to Saudi Arabia in its final World Cup qualifier on Tuesday night, a result that saw the Gulf state pip Australia for an automatic place at next year's finals.
Substitute Fahad Al Muwallad struck the clincher midway through the second half in front of a raucous crowd of over 62,000 at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, securing Bert van Marwijk's team second place in Group B ahead of the Socceroos on goal difference.
Australia edged Thailand 2-1 several hours earlier in Melbourne, but its fate rested in the hands of the Japanese, who qualified on Thursday with a 2-0 home victory over Australia to win the group.