Steve Clarke’s side failed to ride off the high of World Cup qualification as they were booed off the pitch following a friendly defeat to Japan at Hampden.
First half
The first chance of the match fell to Scotland’s main man Scott McTominay in the opening 10, but his close range effort was saved onto the post by Zion Suzuki.
Large portions of the first half involved side-to-side passing in what looked like the friendliest friendly ever with both sides already having the luxury of World Cup qualification. Kodai Sano was the next to have a chance however, as his long range effort was saved by Angus Gunn on the half hour mark.
Japan would then continue to pepper Scotland, especially through numerous corners, but their best chances of the half fell to Ao Tanaka whose effort hit the bar ten minutes from time and Yuito Suzuki who forced a save from Gunn inside the area five minutes later.
McTominay would go close again moments before the half but the effort was easily saved by Suzuki, Japan would counter attack but Nathan Patterson was on hand to clear a goalmouth scramble.
Second half
The second period opened livelier than the first with both teams applying early pressure, Scott McTominay’s free kick was the pick of the bunch from the opening five, which deflected just over the bar.
Andy Robertson would then challenge Suzuki with the best chance of the match so far, but the Japan shot stopper was on hand to parry the defender’s effort following a mazy run.
Brighton winger Karou Mitoma wouldn’t waste much time after coming on, but his curling effort from the edge of the box was just wide.
Junya Ito would be played through moments later, the winger cut inside but Gunn saved a fairly tame effort from what could’ve been a promising chance.
Mitoma would go close again, his dinked effort beat Gunn but Kenny McLean was quick to clear off the line.
Substitute George Hirst would go agonisingly close 15 minutes from time as he cut onto his right foot within the area. His effort looked bound for the bottom corner but found the side netting.
Japan would take the lead six minutes from time as Ito capped off a well worked goal with a lovely finish and earn Japan a deserved victory.
Speaking after the match, Jack Hendry said: “We’ll learn lots from tonight, it’s a good learning curve for us.
“It’s important in these camps to learn different styles of play, what we’re gonna come up against. Naturally, each team across different continents are going to have different playing styles. One might be a wee bit more physical, one might be a bit more technical… We’re gonna play three different styles in the group stage and three different oppositions.”
Lewis Ferguson said: ” We faced a top, top side tonight, and they’ve went really, really far. So a good level of opponent and a difficult game, but like I said, we’re disappointed to lose it.
“I thought they moved the ball really well, really fast and they caused us some problems… The press off the ball is really important to the way they play. They play at a real high intensity. So a real difficult team to play against.”
Scotland will look to bounce back on Wednesday night when they play Ivory Coast on Tuesday at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, whilst Japan travel to Wembley to take on England.
