Japan edge Iceland in final pre-World Cup friendly

TOKYO, MAY 31: Japan scored a late goal through substitute Koki Ogawa to beat Iceland 1-0 in Tokyo on Sunday in their final friendly before the World Cup.

Ogawa pounced in the 87th minute to send Japan to the United States, Canada and Mexico on a high in front of over 60,000 fans at the National Stadium.

Hajime Moriyasu's side will face the Netherlands, Sweden and Tunisia in Group F and play the Dutch in their opener on June 14.

They will be without winger Kaoru Mitoma, who was ruled out of the World Cup after injuring his hamstring less than a week before Moriyasu named his squad.

Former Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu returned for his first international appearance in two years after long periods out through injury.

He started alongside Maya Yoshida, who captained Japan at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and was recalled for the game for a final farewell.

The 37-year-old Yoshida, who is not in Japan's World Cup squad, was given a guard of honour by both teams after coming off in the 13th minute, having won his 127th cap.

Keito Nakamura started in Mitoma's usual position on the left, and he rolled an early chance wide of the post.

Japan took their foot off the gas, and Iceland almost opened the scoring on the half-hour mark when Logi Tomasson flashed a shot just wide.

Dagur Dan Thorhallsson also went close from distance minutes before half-time.

Japan rang the changes at the break, and Ogawa came close to breaking the deadlock midway through the second half.

The NEC Nijmegen striker found the net with time running out, cannoning a header in off the post.

Iceland did not qualify for the World Cup.    �"AFP