Japan will be landing in Russia for the 2018 World Cup beaming with confidence after Shinji Kagawa’s goal and two assists propelled a 4-2 victory over Paraguay in their final World Cup warm-up match played in Austria on Tuesday.
Paraguay led at halftime with Oscar Romero’s opener, but Shinji Kagawa assisted Takashi Inui to strike twice after the break. Federico Santander scored an own goal but team mate, Richard Ortiz pulled one back before Kagawa added a fourth in added time.
40 years old Paraguay goalkeeper Justo Villarmade made a 12-minute appearance, the last of 120 international appearances before retirement. The victory over the South Americans will give Japan confidence as they come up against Colombia in their opening Group H World Cup tie on Tuesday, 19 June.
Highlights
Moments
32′ Goal! Japan 0, Paraguay 1. Óscar Romero volleys home from the edge of the box, after a lovely control and turn from Antonio Bareiro’s cross.
51′ Goal! Japan 1, Paraguay 1. Takashi Inui receives Shinji Kagawa’s pass, shapes up and shoots and scores from outside the box after some good build up by the Japanese.
63′ Goal! Japan 2, Paraguay 1. Takashi Inui places his shot under the Paraguayan goalkeeper from the edge of the box after Shinji Kagawa’s dummy.
77′ Own Goal! Japan 3, Paraguay 1. Federico Santander, turns the ball into his own net from a corner kick.
90′ Goal! Japan 3, Paraguay 2. Richard Ortiz releases a left-footed from outside the box which evades the entire Japanese defense into the goal.
90′ Goal! Japan 4, Paraguay 2. Shinji Kagawa dribbles through the Paraguayan defense and places a low shot beyond the keeper.
Match Stats
Line up
