Dortmund midfielder Shinji Kagawa scored the only goal as Japan beat Paraguay 1-0 on Saturday in their first game after the World Cup. Paraguay it was who knocked Japan out of the World Cup in South Africa on penalties at the round of 16 stage in June.

Japan's new Italian coach Alberto Zaccheroni watched the game from the stands as he has yet to obtain a work visa.

"I'm very happy with the result, 1-0, although it was a difficult game. Japan's tactics were very good while Paraguay were physically stronger. But Japan were well organised as a team until the end," said Zaccheroni.

Meanwhile, Paraguay's Argentine coach Gerardo Martino said: "Both teams played squarely with rhythm. Comparing with the game in the World Cup, both teams had more space. Both teams had chances to score."

Japan's caretaker coach Hiromi Hara said: "We couldn't name the new coach when we called up this team but we didn't want any excuse."