Japan secured a historic friendly triumph as they upset a full-strength Argentina at the Saitama Stadium.
Zaccheroni kicks-off Japanese reign with win over South Americans
Japan secured a historic friendly triumph as they upset a full-strength Argentina at the Saitama Stadium.
Alberto Zaccheroni's first game in charge of the Blue Samurai ended in victory as Shinji Okazaki's 19th minute goal proved the difference in Saitama City.
Argentina caretaker coach Sergio Batista saw his unblemished record since taking over from Diego Maradona snapped, despite Lionel Messi's best attempts to get the South Americans something from the game.
Batista's squad beat Republic of Ireland 1-0 away back in August and crushed world champions Spain 4-1 at home last month, but came unstuck against a committed Japanese side.
"I feel very happy. My debut match turned out to be such an important event," said the former AC Milan coach Zaccheroni, whose side earned their first win in seven international matches with the 1-0 win over La Albiceleste.
"I told my players on the bench before the match that if you work hard it will produce a result."
Japan, who reached the last-16 in South Africa for their best World Cup finish on foreign soil, fielded seven European-based players.
Many among the crowd were keen to catch an up-close glimpse of Barcelona superstar Messi and they did not have long to wait as the World Player of the Year squandered two early chances, lofting the ball onto the top of the net after trapping a return pass in front of goal in the seventh minute.
Seven minutes later he dribbled up the field and attacked from the right but Lierse goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima deflected his effort.
Okazaki's goal came after Argentina goalkeeper Sergo Romero punched a 30 yard shot by Japan captain and Wolfsburg midfielder Makoto Hasebe.
The Shimizu S-Pulse striker rushed into the box and hit the rebound beyond the diving Romero into the right corner of the net.
In the 27th minute, Kawashima had to stretch to stop Messi's free kick.
But Japan too had chances to extend their lead. Two shots by CSKA Moscow midfielder Keisuke Honda and Schalke defender Atsuto Uchida within five minutes from half-time went either straight into the keeper's hands or over the bar.
Deep into the second half Manchester City striker Carlos Teves trapped a cross from Messi off guard in the area and slapped it wide.
On 70 minutes, J-League leading scorer Ryoichi Maeda nearly doubled the score when he dribbled away from Argentine defenders and shot off the right post.
Messi bungled another chance in the 75th minute when he slammed a Tevez cross to straight to Kawashima.
Japan came close to scoring again in the 88th minute when Maeda dribbled past two Argentine defenders but his left-foot shot was swept away by Romero.
