A new-look Scotland side put in a hard-working display but were unable to prevent a 2-0 defeat to Japan.
Defender puts through his own goal after solid display
A new-look Scotland side put in a hard-working display but were unable to prevent a 2-0 defeat to Japan in Yokohama.
George Burley made several changes for the friendly game in the Far East, with 10 players pulling out of his squad with injury, and there were a lot of positives to take home despite the result.
Christophe Berra conceded an own goal after 83 minutes, stabbing a vicious cross from the left flank past Craig Gordon, although the defender had performed admirably throughout.
The result was sealed at the death when Keisuke Honda coolly finished after Japan had pressed through Takayuki Moritomo - the ball falling to Honda inside the area who tucked it past Gordon with ease.
Scotland boss Burley handed debuts to four players for a game that had been blighted in the build-up by the withdrawal of many players from the squad.
Hearts defender Lee Wallace and a midfield trio of West Brom's Graham Dorrans, Preston's Ross Wallace and Dundee United's Craig Conway were included in the starting line-up, with Stephen McManus wearing the captain's armband.
Japan coach Takeshi Okada elected not to give a senior debut to Catania striker Takayuki Morimoto, who was left on the bench with Jubilo Iwata striker Ryoichi Maeda - the J.League's top scorer - holding the line up front on his own.
Settled
The Japanese settled quickest at the outset with right-back Atsuto Uchida providing Okada's team with the width required to threaten the Scottish defence.
With just three minutes on the clock, the Kashima Antlers defender found space behind the Scotland backline, forcing Steven Whittaker to head his cross clear before the home attack could capitalise.
Just three minutes later, Honda tried his luck from almost 35 yards out, but his left-footed effort was curling away from target while Gordon had the shot comfortably covered.
With 10 minutes remaining in the half, the Scotland defence was caught out again by Japan's passing and movement. Naohiro Ishikawa slotted the ball through to Honda, whose pass sent Nakamura scampering down the left before the Kawasaki Frontale midfielder fired off a shot that could only hit the side-netting.
Burley made two changes at the start of the second half, taking off Wallace and replacing him with Don Cowie while Miller made way for Burnley striker Steven Fletcher.
The changes gave Scotland a lift as the Japanese struggled to control the tempo of the early exchanges in the second period in the manner in which they commanded the first.
In the 55th minute, Okada decided to give Morimoto his long-awaited debut for the home side, the Serie A-based forward coming on in place of Maeda, who had struggled to make an impact.
Eight minutes later, Gordon was finally called into action when he dropped to his left to parry Honda's dipping free-kick and the Sunderland keeper was a relieved man when he saw Uchida's follow-up shot flash across the face of his goal to safety.
Changes
The substitutions started to come thick and fast, with Japan making three changes in the 65th minute when Uchida was replaced by Yuhei Tokunaga, Yoshito
Okubo came on for Hideo Hashimoto and Ishikawa made way for Daisuke Matsui. Scotland, too, made another change with Charlie Adam being replaced by Norwich City midfielder Stephen Hughes.
With 17 minutes remaining, Scotland looked set to opening the scoring when, against the run of play, Fletcher was left one-on-one with Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima, but the Kawasaki Frontale man spread himself well to save with his legs.
Within a minute of coming on, Jubilo Iwata defender Yuichi Komano played a key role in Japan's opening goal, sending in a low cross that Berra put into his own net, sticking out a leg in an attempt to stop the ball reaching Morimoto.
And with barely seconds remaining, Japan doubled their lead after the ball fell to Honda in the penalty area and the Holland-based midfielder side-footed home with glee.
