Sydney - Australia came from a goal down Wednesday to beat Japan 2-1 and top the Asian Group 1 going into next year's World Cup in South Africa.

Tim Cahill scored twice to cancel out Tukio Tanaka's header in the 40th minute at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Both teams have already qualified for next year's finals. Bahrain were meeting Uzbekistan in Manama later in a match which will decide which teams goes into the play-off as third in the group.

In Asia Group 2 games Wednesday, already-qualified South Korea were due to play Iran in Seoul, and Saudi Arabia were meeting North Korea in Riyadh.(dpa)