Japan was left to rue what might have been as the Boys in Blue squandered a two-goal lead and drew 2-2 away to World Cup host Germany on Tuesday in their penultimate warm up for the finals.
Naohiro Takahara fires in the first of his two goals in Japan's 2-2 draw with
Germany in Leverkusen on Tuesday.
The Asian champions looked to be heading for a morale-boosting victory ahead of their World Cup opener against Australia on June 12 after two excellent second-half strikes from Germany-based forward Naohiro Takahara.
But Miroslav Klose pulled one back for the hosts and Bastian Schweinsteiger headed home a free-kick 10 minutes from time to spare Germany's blushes after a dreadful defensive display.