Japan 1-0 Cyprus: Uchida scores the only goal in unconvincing friendly win

The Schalke man converted Shinji Kagawa’s blocked effort as Albert Zaccheroni’s men got off to a laboured start in their preparations for the World Cup

Japan got their World Cup preparations off to a less-than-convincing start with a narrow 1-0 win overCyprus at Saitama Stadium.

Alberto Zaccheroni’s side have now won three friendlies in a row but showed little sign of the quality that helped them recently overcome Belgium and New Zealand on Tuesday.