Japan got its warm-up for next month's crucial World Cup qualifiers off to a successful start with an impressive 1-0 win over Cote d'Ivoire on Saturday.
The Africans fielded a strong team despite the absence of Chelsea forwards Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou, but Japan assumed control from the first whistle and took the lead through a Keiji Tamada volley in the 21st minute.
The visitors had several chances to equalize in the second half, but Japan maintained its composure to claim a morale-boosting victory at Toyota Stadium in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture.