Socceroos midfielder Vince Grella says the ability to grind out a result and the spirit of the players helped get the win against Japan last night. After going down a goal in the first half, the Socceroos fought back through two goals to Tim Cahill to take the four points and finish on top of their group in World Cup qualifying.

Blackburn Rovers hard man Grella was full of praise for the Australian team after the match.

"It says everything about the Socceroos' doesn't it," Grella told Sportal.

"There were some similarities to what we did (against Japan) at the last World Cup but we played a lot better then, than we did in this game.

"But the Australian spirit was there again - and that is what it's all about, grinding out results.

"It says a bit about Australia's history in football," he added.

"We were a bit down and not playing great in the first half (when Japan scored) and then we were able to step it up a gear and pulled the game back and we were in control for most of the second half.

"So it was a great way to end off the campaign in front of a great crowd at the MCG."