Japan suffered its first defeat under coach Alberto Zaccheroni as the Asian champion lost 1-0 to 10-man North Korea in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.
In Japan's first match in the North Korean capital since June 1989, Pak Nam Chol scored the lone goal early in the second half to end the Blue Samurai's 16-game unbeaten run with Zaccheroni, who took over after the 2010 World Cup from Takeshi Okada.
"They played a tough, physical game in circumstances that were very difficult for us," Zaccheroni said. "They were determined for this match after having failed to qualify for the next round. A victory over Japan was exactly what they needed to overcome their disappointment.