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Junya Ito scored the only goal of the game with less than 10 minutes remaining as Japan won 1-0 Scotland at Hampden Park.
Ito scored with a fine finish in the 84th minute after the visitors – who are ranked among the top 20 teams in the world – had gone close on several occasions.
The hosts started brightly in both halves but were eventually undone by a Japanese side who dominated throughout and extended their impressive run of results to just one defeat from 11.
For Steve Clarke’s people, it’s been a useful starting point before world championship finals this summer where Scotland will be hoping to get out of the group for the first time.
How the action unfolded
A typically boisterous Hampden Park were given an early chance when John McGinn’s cross found the oncoming Scott McTominay who hit a hard shot straight at the Zion Suzuki.
The Japan stopper reacted well to turn the ball against the right post before the ball was cleared.
Scotland, still riding the World Cup wave after a memorable 4-2 win over Denmark last year, were looking to build up some momentum to start their first World Cup since 1998.
Since that tournament – Japan’s debut – the Asian nation has been a consistent presence in the finals and, after McTominay’s efforts, the quality of the visitors began to show.
Hajime Moriyasu’s side dominated possession, but it wasn’t until the 38th minute that they got their first real chance when Ao Tanaka hit the top of the post from inside the penalty area.
Another promising move saw Yuito Suzuki fire into the hands of Angus Gunn moments after Kaishu Sano fired high over the bar.
Scotland are delighted to hear the half-time signal
The hosts will have been delighted to hear the half-time whistle, but Clarke’s men showed more promise after the break.
McTominay tested Suzuki again before captain Andy Robertson stung the palms of the visitors’ keeper after an on-target strike in the box.
Japan then turned to their bench and substitute Ito almost had an instant impact when he fooled the Scottish defense before getting a shot, but Gunn dealt with his effort.
Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma – another substitute – then stepped up, burst into the box and slotted the ball over the Scotland keeper. This time Kenny McLean was on hand to clear.
Two of Scotland’s substitutes, Kieran Tierney and George Hurst, combined well before the latter created a yard of space for himself in the box, but the Ipswich Town man could only steer his low shot the wrong side of the near post.
Moments later, Japan broke the deadlock through Ito, the Genk forward latching on to the loose ball before taking a touch and curling an effort beyond Gunn into the corner of the net.
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