An own goal and Kensuke Honda’s strike in the final 10 minutes led Japan to a 2-0 friendly win over a second-string Scotland in Yokohama, Japan, yesterday.
Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Christophe Berra slotted into his own net from a cross by Japan defender Yuichi Komano on 83 minutes.
The Blue Samurai went further ahead on the stroke of injury time when Honda, a VVV Venlo midfielder, slammed in a rebound off Catania striker Takayuki Morimoto’s shot inside the box.
It was Japan’s first win in three international matches against Scotland, having drawn twice before.
Japan, who have qualified for the World Cup, face Togo in another home friendly in Miyagi next Wednesday.
Okada rested several of Japan’s key players, including midfield lynchpins Shunsuke Nakamura of Espanyol and Yasuhito Endo of Gamba Osaka, just two days after his squad outclassed Hong Kong 6-0 in an Asian Cup qualifier at home.
Scotland manager George Burley has brought an experimental squad missing 10 regulars, including Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher and Tottenham fullback Alan Hutton.
Before the match at the Yokohama International Stadium, a minute of silence was observed in memory of former Scottish Football Association president David Will, who died of cancer on Sept. 24.
■AUSTRALIA V NETHERLANDS
AFP, SYDNEY
The Netherlands have still to beat Australia in three meetings after they had to settle with a scoreless draw in their international friendly in Sydney yesterday.
The world No. 3 Dutch dominated but could not find a way through the stubborn Australian defense with their intricate short passing game.
Both nations have already qualified for next year’s World Cup finals in South Africa, but the 14th-ranked Socceroos have yet to lose to the Dutchmen in three games over the last three years.
The Australians had a chance to snatch victory in the final minutes when Brett Holman was clear on goal but he blasted his volley over the bar.
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