Yasuharu Sorimachi's Japan under-23 side came from behind to beat Australia 2-1 in front of a near-capacity crowd at Home's Stadium in Kobe.

Melbourne Victory striker Archie Thompson opened the scoring for the Olyroos in the 35th minute, but Japan pegged Australia back through goals from Cerezo Osaka teenager Shinji Kagawa and a last minute strike from substitute Shinji Okazaki.

After dominating the opening half hour Japan went behind against the run of play when a misplaced ball from Nagoya Grampus defender Maya Yoshida was picked up by Perth Glory striker Nikita Rukavytsya, who did well to hold off two defenders before teeing up an unmarked Archie Thompson to steer the ball passed Kaito Yamamoto in the Japan goal.

Roared on by a partisan home crowd Japan equalised through a move instigated by the outstanding Atsuto Uchida, whose incisive ball was flicked on by Catania striker Takayuki Morimoto, with an unmarked Shinji Kagawa charging through to stroke the ball beyond Reading shot-stopper Adam Federici.

Australia appeared to wilt in hot and humid conditions in the second half, with Japan retaining the ball at will in midfield. The Olyroos were lucky not to go behind when Kawasaki Frontale midfielder Hiroyuki Taniguchi hit the post after being played in by the ubiquitous Uchida just two minutes after the restart, with the Australian defence struggling to cope with Japan's off-the-ball running.

Just when Graham Arnold's side looked like they would hang on for a morale-boosting draw, the sprightly Okazaki - on for VV Venlo midfielder Keisuke Honda, stooped to glance home from Taniguchi's cross with a header that appeared to catch Federici by surprise.

The win was just desserts for Japan, but it's back to the drawing board for Graham Arnold's side, who seemed to struggle in the oppressive heat in Kobe.