NEWS

A Shinji Kagawa goal early in the second half was enough for Japan to beat Paraguay 1-0 in a Kirin Challenge Cup friendly match on Saturday night at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama.

In a rematch of their Round of 16 clash in the 2010 World Cup, which Japan lost 5-3 on penalties after a scoreless draw, Japan, under caretaker coach Hiromi Hara, played aggressively with some impressive moments from Kagawa and forward Takayuki Morimoto.
With new coach Alberto Zaccheroni watching from the stands, while he waits for his work permit, Japan featured five starting players from their previous encounter with the South Americans.
Keisuke Honda came close early on with a free-kick, but Paraguay goalkeeper Justo Villar reacted sharply to turn the shot away for a corner.
Nestor Camacho was sprightly for Paraguay on the left flank, and in the 22nd minute he fed Roque Santa Cruz, but the Manchester City striker blew his opportunity and sent his shot wide. Four minutes later, Borussia Dortmund forward Lucas Barrios headed a Camacho cross over the bar.
But the Japanese players were creating enough chances to please the 65,157 home fans.
In the 32nd minute, Kagawa and Yuto Nagatomo both worked nimbly on the left to set up chances for Morimoto, but Paulo Da Silva rescued Paraguay on the first occasion and Villar cleared the danger on the second chance. Villar then came up with a save from a Yuji Nakazawa header following a Kengo Nakamura cross.
Paraguay, featuring nine players from their World Cup squad, went on the offensive at the beginning of the second half with attempts on goal from Jonathan Santana.
But Japan responded well and their efforts paid off when Kagawa found the target in the 64th minute. Nakamura played a fine through ball down the middle that the Borussia Dortmund midfielder controlled superbly before firing home from the edge of the box.
Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima reacted brilliantly to deny Barrios after he broke through Japan’s back line in the 67th minute and Paraguay came close again in the 84th minute when a Paulo Da Silva header was cleared off the line by Nakamura.
“We didn’t have much time to prepare for this game but I told our players we shouldn’t use that as an excuse,” Hara said afterward. “For those who play in Europe this heat could have been a problem, but they started moving better in the second half.”
The caretaker coach added: “Coach Zaccheroni congratulated us after the game, saying we had a good game. I think today’s game has also helped him get a better idea about Japan’s fans and the atmosphere of our home games.”
“I’m glad that we were able to avenge our loss in the World Cup,” said Kagawa, who attended the World Cup as a traveling support member. “It was disappointing I couldn’t play in the World Cup, so I was determined to win and score today. I’m glad I came up with the goods.”
“In the World Cup, we played defensively [against Paraguay], but we played an aggressive game today, so I’m happy about that.”
Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino said, “It was an even game with good tempo, and both teams had good scoring chances. But we lacked accuracy and the Japanese goalkeeper did a good job. Their defenders worked well to block our ball in the final phase.”
Japan will next play Guatemala on Tuesday at Nagai Track and Field Stadium in Osaka.