Japan Beats Scotland in World Cup Warm-Up
 |
| Scotland fall to Japan in Hampden defeat |
Scotland's Hampden unbeaten streak ends with loss to Japan. Japan defeats Scotland 1-0 in World Cup warm-up, with Junya Ito scoring the late winner.
Japan's Ito redeems himself with winning goal against Scotland..
Japan got their 2026 World Cup prep underway with a 1-0 win over hosts Scotland, thanks to Junya Ito's late goal. Early chances were created by both sides, with Scott McTominay's shot spectacularly saved by Zion Suzuki after just 8 minutes.
Japan’s threat was largely contained to pot shots from distance in the opening half-hour - with Daizen Maeda and Kodai Sano both repelled - before Leeds United’s Ao Tanaka clipped Angus Gunn’s crossbar from 15 yards on 38 minutes.
Japan made a flurry of changes at half-time to try and force a breakthrough with Brighton & Hove Albion winger Kaoru Mitoma, introduced by Hajime Moriyasu, and the Seagulls star was inches away from teeing up Keisuke Goto on 53 minutes.
That triggered a quickfire response from Scotland, as a sprawling Suzuki stop thwarted captain Andy Robertson less than a minute later, and the contest flowed from end-to-end.
Mitoma continued to pull the strings for Japan, as his cute through ball created another chance - this time wasted by fellow sub Ito - before Japan’s No.7 saw a goal-bound effort cleared off the line by Kenny McLean on 68 minutes.
Scotland struggled to hold on in the closing stages, but Japan broke through with six minutes left. Kaoru Mitoma set up Junnosuke Suzuki, whose low cross was poked home by substitute Junya Ito for the winner.
Scotland's loss at Hampden Park ends Steve Clarke's unbeaten streak at home, with Japan also keeping them scoreless for the first time in six games.
Scotland faces the Ivory Coast on March 31st at Everton's stadium, while Japan takes on England at Wembley next.
No comments:
Leave comment here