Scotland has qualified for their first World Cup finals since 1998 and is preparing for a friendly match against Japan at Hampden Park. This match comes as Scotland looks to build momentum ahead of the tournament, having qualified for three major tournaments since 2021.
Japan enters the match with confidence, having won their previous three matches. The last encounter between the two teams was in October 2009, where Japan secured a 2-0 victory. Historically, Scotland and Japan have met on three occasions, with Japan winning two of those matches.
Both teams have shown a tendency to score in recent games, with both teams scoring in all four of Scotland’s previous matches. Japan has also seen both teams score in two of their last four games, indicating an attacking style from both sides.
However, Scotland faces challenges with injuries, as Ben Gannon-Doak will miss the match. Japan will also be without key players, including Ko Itakura and Takehiro Tomiyasu, who are unavailable for this friendly. Additionally, Wataru Endo has recently undergone ankle surgery, adding to Japan’s injury concerns.
Scotland’s last friendly victory was a 2-0 win over Gibraltar before Euro 2024, but they have struggled at Hampden, winning only two friendlies since 2016. The team will be looking to improve their home record against a strong Japanese side.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the exact date of the match and the recovery status of Wataru Endo for the World Cup. Observers are keen to see how both teams adapt to the absences and what strategies they will employ in this crucial preparation match.
