The Socceroos’ Asian Cup preparations started on the wrong note with a 2-1 loss to Japan in Osaka on Tuesday night.

Australia failed to find the back of the net despite having the majority of possession in the first half and were steamrolled by a revitalised Samurai Blue in the second 45 minutes in front of a capacity crowd at Nagai Stadium.

Yasuyuki Konno and Shinji Okazaki struck within seven minutes in the second half for the hosts, before Tim Cahill added a consolation goal in stoppage time as Japan claimed victory.

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James Troisi had a great chance after just 30 seconds, but his shot from the edge of the box at the end of a left-wing attacking raid flew wide and high.

Mathew Leckie produced the Socceroos’ only real chance for the rest of the half in the 17th minute, forcing Japanese goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima to produce an athletic diving save to turn his powerful header past the post.

That was one of very few shots on target for either side in the first half, but the best opportunity of the opening stanza came at the other end.

Japan stormed on to goal after Shinji Kagawa got away from Aziz Behich as the Australia attempted to milk a penalty in the 40th minute.

Australia midfielder Matt McKay fights for the ball against Japan forward Yoshinori Muto. Photo: AAP

The ball went to Keisuke Honda before returning to Kagawa, who dribbled to the near post and, if not for the shin of Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak just forcing a corner, would have delivered the final ball for an easy tap-in goal.

Five minutes later, Jedinak’s name went in the referee’s book for a slightly mistimed challenge on Honda, but Ryan collected the distant free-kick to end a first half in which Australia’s woes in front of goal were plain to see.

The hosts came out of the sheds with plenty of intent and Ryan was called on to make a brilliant reflex save from the boot of a sliding Okazaki five minutes into the second half.

The 2011 Asian champions had a number of chances in the next 10 minutes and made it count in the 61st when the Socceroos defence failed to deal with a tame cross from the right wing.

Yasuyuki Konno, subbed on for Yasuhito Endo at the break, was waiting at the back post and easily headed past the outstretched hands of Ryan.

The Socceroos woes were compounded in the 68th minute when Okazaki, who botched a great chance a minute earlier, produced a brilliant back heel to score Japan’s second.

Australia’s leading goal-scorer Cahill replaced Matt McKay in the 72nd and minute and headed home his requisite goal in the 92nd minute.