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Junya Ito scores late as Japan beat Scotland 1-0 at Hampden Park, extending Scotlands home friendly woes before World Cup tests against Haiti and Ivory Coast.
Japan beat Scotland 1-0 at Hampden Park (AP)
Scotland’s first match since ending a 28-year wait to qualify for the World Cup ended in defeat, as Junya Ito’s late strike gave Japan a 1-0 win at Hampden Park.
In stark contrast to the jubilant scenes that followed the thrilling 4-2 victory over Denmark in November, which secured the Tartan Army’s trip to North America, a subdued atmosphere contributed to a tame encounter.
Japan left several key players, including Ito, on the bench in preparation for Tuesday’s clash against England at Wembley.
However, they maintained their impressive form in friendlies since securing qualification a year ago — a run that includes a first-ever win over Brazil in October — as Ito struck the only goal six minutes from time.
Scott McTominay had Scotland’s best chance inside the opening 10 minutes, but the Napoli midfielder’s effort was brilliantly saved by Zion Suzuki.
Not Winning A Friendly At Home In Over 10 Years
Japan then gradually took control, extending Scotland’s miserable run of having failed to win a home friendly for the past 10 years.
“To lose it on the goal that we lost is disappointing. The game at that stage looked like it was going to peter out to a 0-0 draw,” said Scotland boss Steve Clarke.
“We played a lot of good stuff and I think we can be a bit more progressive to get to the top end of the pitch, but against top opposition sometimes that’s difficult.”
Angus Gunn made a fine save from Ito when the Genk forward ran clear on goal just after the hour mark.
Gunn faces a battle with 43-year-old Craig Gordon to be Clarke’s number one for Scotland’s opening World Cup game against Haiti on June 14.
However, the Nottingham Forest ‘keeper did himself few favours in that debate for the winning goal, going to ground too early and allowing Ito’s tame effort to trickle into the net.
Scotland return to action on Tuesday when they face the Ivory Coast at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium, and they have one more outing at Hampden against Curacao in June before travelling across the Atlantic for the World Cup.
(With inputs from Agencies)
United Kingdom (UK)
March 29, 2026, 10:09 IST
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