SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Scotland in an international friendly under the KIRIN World Challenge 2026 on 28 March at Hampden Park in Glasgow.

Scotland, who recently booked their place at the FIFA World Cup 2026™ with a dramatic win over Denmark in the European qualifiers, were ranked 38th in the FIFA rankings (as of 19 January), below Japan in 19th. However, the traditional European power, featuring the likes of Andy ROBERTSON (Liverpool FC) and Scott MCTOMINAY (Napoli SSC), still posed a formidable challenge. Head coach MORIYASU Hajime had anticipated a difficult encounter, noting pre-match that it would be “a very tough away fixture.”

Facing European opposition for the first time since September 2023, Japan fielded a refreshed and relatively inexperienced line-up. Sticking with their 3-4-2-1 system used throughout the Asian final qualifiers, SUZUKI Zion (Parma Calcio 1913) started in goal behind a back three of SEKO Ayumu (Le Havre AC), WATANABE Tsuyoshi (Feyenoord), and ITO Hiroki (Bayern Munich), who returned to international duty for the first time in a year. In midfield, TANAKA Ao (Leeds United) and FUJITA Joel Chima (FC St. Pauli) formed the double pivot, while SUGAWARA Yukinari (Werder Bremen) and captain MAEDA Daizen (Celtic FC) operated as wing-backs.

Further forward, SUZUKI Yuito (SC Freiburg) and SANO Kodai (NEC Nijmegen), making his first start, supported lone striker GOTO Keisuke (Sint-Truidense VV), who was also handed his first start. With key players such as MINAMINO Takumi (AS Monaco), KUBO Takefusa (Real Sociedad), and ENDO Wataru (Liverpool FC) sidelined through injury, Moriyasu made proactive use of his squad, with overall team improvement and added depth a clear theme of the tour, as he handed opportunities to less-capped players.

Scotland started brightly, and in the ninth minute Japan were forced into early defensive action after failing to deal with a cross from the left, allowing Mctominay a close-range effort. However, Suzuki Zion produced a fine save to keep the scores level—an intervention that proved crucial in swinging the momentum in Japan’s favour. From that point, Japan settled into the game, moving the ball more effectively and gradually pushing Scotland deeper into their own half.

Despite controlling large spells of the first half, Japan were unable to find the breakthrough before the interval. After the restart, Moriyasu made full use of the 11-player substitution allowance, introducing three changes at half-time and a further four in the 62nd minute to inject fresh energy and experience into the side. In the 78th minute, Japan made another triple substitution and simultaneously shifted to a more attacking 3-1-4-2 system, committing greater numbers to the front line in pursuit of a decisive goal.

That breakthrough finally arrived in the 84th minute, as the substitutes combined with excellent link-up play. NAKAMURA Keito (Stade de Reims), operating at left wing-back, switched play to MITOMA Kaoru (Brighton & Hove Albion), who had drifted wide from a more central position. SUZUKI Junnosuke (FC Copenhagen) then stepped in from deep to receive the ball and play it centrally, where debutant SHIOGAI Kento (VfL Wolfsburg) cushioned the ball with his left foot into the path of ITO Junya (KRC Genk), who calmly slotted home with his right foot.

The attacking approach deployed late in the match had previously been tested in the second half of a goalless match against Mexico in September 2025. While it did not produce a goal on that occasion, this time Japan made it count, turning their pressure into a decisive winner. After the match, Moriyasu expressed satisfaction with the team’s progress, stating that the performance clearly reflected the strides the team have made in building cohesion and organisation over time.
Having secured victory away from home against World Cup-qualified opposition, Japan will now travel to London, where they will face England, currently ranked fourth in the FIFA rankings, on 31 March, with just two days between matches.

Coach and Players' Comments

MORIYASU Hajime, Head Coach of SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team)
We approached the match with the idea that the team could function no matter who stepped onto the pitch. By rotating players throughout and switching to a more attacking system at the end, we were able to keep a clean sheet and secure the win. It is a result that gives us confidence heading into the World Cup. That said, the opposition were also experimenting, and there were moments when our coordination was not as smooth as it could be. We therefore need to keep improving our overall quality. Some of the selections were, in a sense, improvised, and there were moments when the team did not appear to be fully in sync. Even so, the players clearly understood the picture of how we want to play, and in that regard, they did an excellent job.

GK #1 SUZUKI Zion (Parma Calcio 1913/Italy)
Looking back at the early save against Mctominay, I feel I could have dealt with the cross earlier. But once I decided not to come out, it was crucial that I made the save. Not conceding at that moment proved vital, as it ultimately led to our 1-0 victory. The shot itself was more of an instinctive reaction—I managed to get my left hand to it. Returning to the national team after five months and achieving a result like this is very important for me. Our next opponent will be even tougher, so I want to be fully prepared for the second match.

MF/FW #14 ITO Junya (KRC Genk/Belgium)
For the goal, I initially thought about hitting it first time, but I felt I could shift it past the defender. I considered moving slightly wider, but just managed to avoid being blocked and get the shot away. I think we performed well from the first half and showed good quality. However, we knew we had to find a way to win rather than settle for 0-0. When we came on, we wanted to make a direct impact on the scoreline, and I’m glad we were able to do that. I wasn’t sure until just before coming on whether I would play as a wing-back or in a more advanced role, but in attacking situations I adjusted my positioning depending on where Doan was and was able to play flexibly.

MF/FW #22 SHIOGAI Kento (VfL Wolfsburg/Germany)
It was a special day for me, and I wanted to enjoy my debut and make a clear impact. My focus was on scoring and helping the team, both in attack and defence. For the assist, I was definitely aiming for that. I think my movement to lose the marker was nearly perfect. I managed to get in front of the defender in a good position, and if the ball had come in front of me, I would have taken a shot. Instead, it came slightly behind me onto my left foot, so I controlled it and had to decide whether to turn and shoot or lay it off. Seeing Ito there, I chose to lay it off. I’m pleased to have registered an assist on my debut.

Fixture: SAMURAI BLUE vs Scotland National Team
Date: Sat. 28 March, 17:00 (Sun. 29 March, 2:00 Japan time)
Venue: Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland
Match information

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