Are these Scotland players taking action to avoid the high winds?

By David McDaid BBC Scotland in Japan

As the walls of my hotel room creaked suddenly, the panoramic views of the Yokohama cityscape from the 36th floor suddenly became less appealing.

Was the floor underneath me moving or was this just a jet-lag-induced sensory phenomenon?

The 10 players who couldn't make Scotland's 12,000-mile round trip to Yokohama will probably be glad on this occasion, as Typhoon Melor wreaked havoc across the Japanese archipelago.

At this time of year it's not uncommon for typhoons to roll in from the Pacific Ocean towards Japan, but it's been two years since they've had it this bad.

The Tartan Army fans who made the long journey had to hold on to their kilts to avoid any international incidents.

On the NHK television channel - the Japanese equivalent of the BBC - serious-looking news anchors discussed the gravity of the situation.

Winds upwards of 120mph, lorries picked up and tossed aside like a spoiled kid's toy, roads closed off, buildings ripped as if made of tissue paper, bridges washed away, landslides, and more than 90 flights cancelled.

"It's very blustery here," helmeted reporters, bent double against the gales, yelled informatively at the cameras.

MY SPORT: DEBATE Is Scotland's trip to Japan a worthwhile exercise?

One weather expert advised: "People who live on the coast might want to move somewhere safer, away from the water," while another told how it was close to becoming a "super typhoon".

Comparisons were drawn with Hurricane Katrina and news packages took us down the memory lane of big storms of yesteryear.

And just to add some terror to our fears, computer simulations showed how low-lying cities could be flooded.

Japan's Asia Cup qualifier against Hong Kong in Shizuoka on Thursday was also placed in doubt, although as the storm winded its way north the weather cleared up and they dispatched the opposition 6-0.

But at this stage for the Scotland squad to touch down on terra firma safe and sound in Japan was in itself a blessing.

George Burley had a hard job cobbling together a full squad of players to board the flight, and those who did travel may wish they hadn't.

As well as the trauma of the aborted landing in London, they were also buffeted around on approach to Tokyo's Narita Airport as Melor continued to make its presence felt.

It's no surprise then that one or two of the party looked bleary-eyed and more than a little shaken.

The 16-hour journey to Yokohama is demanding enough without extra complications.

However, with that out of the way, midfielder Charlie Adam is eager to test himself once more at international level.

"The flight was a bit of a scare but there was no real problem at Heathrow - the landing coming into Japan was tough though," the Blackpool midfielder Charlie Adam told BBC Scotland at the Mitsuzawa Park Field in Yokohama.

"It was always going to be a tough journey for us, but despite the distance it's a worthwhile exercise.

"The most important thing is winning, we're all looking forward to the game.

"We managed to get a training session and we'll get back and rest up now.

"It's going to be a big match and we're looking forward to it."

Despite the trek, goalkeeper Craig Gordon is relishing not just the opportunity to represent his country but also the chance to visit a unique country.

"We got here eventually," said the Sunderland number one, "It was quite tiring coming to train tonight.

"I managed to sleep for most of the flight so I feel okay and the fatigue should be out of the legs and we'll be ready to play on Saturday.

"It's great to come over here and experience the place. It's a different way of life and a totally different culture. It's nice to come and have a look at it."

Hopefully, with a good night's sleep under their belts, Burley's skeleton squad will be ready for the latest test against the world number 40 nation.

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