Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Lugano: Japan went down fighting to Switzerland 2-0 in a pre-2018 FIFA World Cup Russia International friendly at the Cornaredo Stadium on Friday.
Dubbed by coach Akira Nishino as an “important test ahead of the World Cup”, the Samurai Blue tested Switzerland's Roman Burki early on when Genki Haraguchi forced a save from the goalkeeper after six minutes.
Burki, of Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund, was in top form as he parried efforts from Makoto Hasebe, Ryota Oshima and Keisuke Honda.
Switzerland, with Arsenal star Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri in their lineup, drew first blood after Maya Yoshida conceded a penalty eight minutes from halftime.
Ricardo Rodríguez made no mistake from the spot as he tucked his shot into the bottom right corner of Eiji Kawashima’s goal for Switzerland to take a 1-0 lead.
After the break, Japan tried their best to find a opening but Vladimir Petkovic’s men were up to the task as they held firm at the back.
The Swiss doubled their advantage eight minutes from time when Haris Seferovic fired his effort from close range following François Moubandje’s assist to put them 2-0 up.
With their eyes set on the first group H match against Colombia on June 19 , Japan will turn their attention to Paraguay for their final friendly on Tuesday in Innsbruck, Austria.
Poland and Senegal complete Group H.
Source: Japan Football Association, AFP