Highlights: Scotland 0-1 Japan

George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland

Scotland began their World Cup preparations with a narrow friendly defeat by Japan at Hampden as substitute Junya Ito conjured a late winner.

Back in action for the first time since November's famous win over Denmark secured their World Cup return after a 28-year absence, Scotland were unable to reach those heady heights in the first of two March friendlies.

Both teams hit the woodwork in the first half and had opportunities to open the scoring after the break, but it was Ito who fired home the decisive goal on 84 minutes.

The Genk forward burst into the Scotland box after slick passing down the left flank opened Scotland up and his low shot settled in the bottom corner despite goalkeeper Angus Gunn's best efforts.

Steve Clarke's side are next in action against Ivory Coast on Tuesday at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium, while Japan face England at Wembley, also on Tuesday.

Junya Ito scores for Japan as Scott McKenna and Angus Gunn watch onSNS

Junya Ito swept home the only goal of the game late on

Scotland's best chance of the game came with their first attack.

Napoli star Scott McTominay charged into the box to meet John McGinn's cross from the right, but was denied by an excellent save by goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, who managed to turn the shot on to the post.

Despite that bright Scotland start, it was the visitors who slowly but surely took control.

Kodai Sano shot straight at Gunn from long range and then fired too high, Yuito Suzuki could not beat the goalkeeper after driving into the box, and Ao Tanaka's first-time shot flicked the bar on its way over.

Scotland improved after half-time, forcing Japan to go long and creating chances of their own without applying the crucial final touch.

McTominay had a looping header clear the bar before forcing Suzuki into a save from a free-kick, while captain Andy Robertson stung the goalkeeper's palms following a powerful driving run.

Being a friendly, both teams made numerous changes, and as in the first half, Japan seized command as the half progressed.

Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma - off the bench for the visitors - could not hit the target after a corner broke to him on the edge of the box and fellow substitute Ito had a shot smothered by Gunn after skipping past Jack Hendry.

Ipswich striker George Hirst rippled the side-netting after replacing Lyndon Dykes, but it was Ito who popped up at the other end to settle the contest.

Hajime Moriyasu's side have lost just five of their past 40 matches since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, while Scotland have not won a home friendly since March 2016 when they beat Denmark.

Analysis: Fringe players fail to make case

Clarke spoke in the build-up about using these friendlies to try different combinations and hand opportunities to some fringe members of his squad.

It was not a totally new-look team, but Everton right-back Nathan Patterson returned to international duty after a tough period with injuries and there was a start off the left for Middlesbrough forward Tommy Conway.

There was also a debut for Kilmarnock's on-loan Rangers winger Findlay Curtis, but the teenager was unable to make an impact during his limited time on the pitch.

Neither Dykes nor Hirst were able to put forward a strong claim to lead the line in the United States this summer and it will be interesting to see who does so on Tuesday.

Will Clarke go with the same duo against Ivory Coast or will Torino's Che Adams be restored to the side?

Make no mistake, this is a high-level Japan outfit used to winning and Scotland were not outclassed, but they did not build on the momentum of the stirring win over Denmark.

The lack of cutting edge in attack is a cause for concern and an area Clarke must address if Scotland are to get out of their World Cup group.

McGinn - so often the man Scotland have turned to under Clarke - has not scored for his country since November 2024 in a 2-1 win over Poland.

McTominay brings world-class quality in the middle of the park and was his usual goal threat, but without Ben Gannon-Doak there is a distinct lack of pace in this squad.

Ivory Coast beat South Korea 4-0 earlier on Saturday and will provide another stern test for Clarke and his players.

Clarke suggested there would be multiple changes for that game as players battle to be on the plane come the summer.

What Clarke said

'A lot to take from the performance' - Clarke on Japan defeat

Scotland head coach Steve Clarke: "There's a lot to take from the performance. Obviously there's are one or two things we can do better.

"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.

"I thought we defended well in the game against a very good side."