Substitute Toshiya Fujita struck a late winner to take the heat off coach Zico as Japan won 2-1 against Singapore in a 2006 World Cup Asian zone qualifier on Wednesday evening.
Naohiro Takahara fends off a charge to score Japan's first goal in Wednesday's 2006 World Cup qualifier in Singapore. Japan won 2-1.
German-based striker Naohiro Takahara fired Japan in front after 34 minutes in stamina-sapping conditions at the 6,000-seat Jalan Besar Stadium, before Indra Daud grabbed a shock equalizer for the host midway through the second half.
But Fujita spared Japan embarrassment, and made it two wins out of two in Group 3, by slamming home the decisive goal with eight minutes left.