"Can't believe it's come true," the gritty 31-year-old former Portsmouth reserve said after stopping the Socceroos first two spot kicks as Japan won a penalty shootout 4-3 with the score 1-1 after extra time.

Kawaguchi had a dream a few days earlier that he saved a crucial penalty against a burly Socceroo. But he could not remember who took it.

At the My Dinh National Stadium, he saved spot kicks from Harry Kewell and Lucas Neill, with centre back Yuji Nakazawa scoring the winner for Japan.

Kawaguchi punched away Liverpool star Kewell's left-footer to his right and Neill's right-footer to the left.

"I can't tell why I could stop them," said Kawaguchi, who had repeatedly said the Blue Samurai were determined to avenge their 3-1 loss to Australia in their World Cup opener last year.

"The penalty kick partly depends on luck as well as the goalkeeper's responsibility," added the Japan captain and Jubilo Iwata custodian.

Kawaguchi was also responsible for Japan's 2004 Asian Cup triumph with a carbon copy quarter-final result -- winning 4-3 on penalties against Jordan after a 1-1 stalemate.

"There were many (English) Premier League players among the opponents (Australia) and their goalkeeper was excellent," said Kawaguchi, who struggled at Portsmouth in 2001-2003 and at Denmark's Nordsjaelland in 2003-2004.

"But I really didn't want to lose because it was an even game."

John Aloisi opened the scoring for Australia in the 69th minute only for Frankfurt striker Naohiro Takahara to level three minutes later.

Takahara said he had learned through videos that Australia's defence tended to be deceived by feint kicks.

"They were easily tricked," said Takahara after his tournament-high fourth goal.

"I faked a kick as I wanted and I could wrong-foot the opponents easily. Then I closely watched the 'keeper before I made that shot."