Japan sink Scotland with late winner in Hampden friendly
Scotland began their World Cup preparations with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Japan at Hampden on Saturday.Consequently, Steve Clarke’s side failed to replicate the heights of their famous win over Denmar...
Japan sink Scotland with late winner in Hampden friendly Scotland began their World Cup preparations with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Japan at Hampden on Saturday. Consequently, Steve Clarke’s side failed to replicate the heights of their famous win over Denmark in November. Both teams hit the woodwork during a pulsating first half in Glasgow.
However, substitute Junya Ito eventually settled the contest with a clinical 84th-minute winner. The Genk forward burst into the box after slick passing opened up the Scottish defence. He fired a low shot into the bottom corner despite the best efforts of Angus Gunn.
Scotland’s best opportunity arrived early when Scott McTominay met a John McGinn cross. Nevertheless, goalkeeper Zion Suzuki produced a superb save to turn the shot onto the post. Japan gradually took control as the visitors forced Scotland to defend deep.
Ao Tanaka nearly opened the scoring, but his first-time effort flicked the crossbar. Moreover, Steve Clarke used the fixture to hand opportunities to several fringe squad members. Japan sink Scotland with late winner in Hampden friendly Nathan Patterson returned to international action after a challenging period sidelined by injuries.