GOSFORD, Australia, 28 October 2003 — The United States ended a 16-year World Cup losing streak with a thrilling 39-26 win over Japan yesterday.

The Eagles claimed their first victory at the tournament since beating the Japanese in 1987, coming out on top in a mistake-riddled but highly entertaining Pool B match at Central Coast Stadium.

The Eagles led from early in the game, though the Japanese kept in touch until the dying minutes when they conceded two tries.

“It feels great to get that first win after so many years,” US captain Dave Hodges said.

“We have conquered out first goal, it was a little bit far (into the tournament) but we did it.”

American flyhalf Mike Hercus, who was raised in Australia, orchestrated the win with a clever running and kicking game that brought him a try, four conversions and two penalties.

The Japanese scored two tries through flying wingers Toru Kurihara and Daisuke Ohata but their enthusiasm and adventure were ultimately insufficient against the bigger American players.

“It’s frustrating that we always let the opposition get a good lead before we start playing,” Japan assistant coach Mark Ella said.

“They have certainly come a long way and they have the potential to go further but it will take a lot of hard work.”

The Eagles made a flying start when Hercus scored a try under the posts on eight minutes after slicing through the defense with a simple dummy.

Center Phillip Eloff then beat three tacklers down the left to score a try that put the Eagles 14-0 ahead.

Japan replied with a try by Kurihara after flyhalf Andrew Miller put George Konia into a hole and the center offloaded to his unmarked winger.

Kurihara pulled the margin back to three points with a penalty but Hercus booted two more to give his team a 20-10 half-time lead.

The Japanese returned to the field wearing blue shirts, New Zealand referee Steve Walsh having ordered them to change colors after both sides ran out in almost identical red jerseys.

The Asian champions made a great start to the second half when Kurihara booted three long-range penalties to cut the deficit to a single point before the Eagles re-established a cushion when flanker Kort Schubert crashed over. Japan again pulled back to within a point when they scooped up a dropped pass from Eagles scrumhalf Kevin Dalzell and Ohata sprinted down the right wing to score his 42nd Test try.

There was still just one point in it with five minutes left when US winger Riaan van Zyl crossed the line and hooker Kirk Khasigian went over in the dying seconds to seal victory.

The US will play France in Wollongong on Friday but are out of the running for a quarterfinal place after losing to Fiji and Scotland. The Japanese head home after losing all four-pool games.