Japan 2 - 0 Scotland: Berra urges Burley to keep faith with next batch of international hopefuls

Published on Sunday 11 October 2009 23:26

DEFENDER Christophe Berra believes Scotland must put their World Cup disappointment behind them and begin building for the future.

While George Burley's team lost against the World Cup-bound Japanese with a makeshift team, Berra feels it is now time to look forward.

"We want to qualify for every tournament we play in and it was a huge disappointment not to qualify for South Africa," said the 24-year-old of his country's sixth successive failure to reach a major tournament.

"But we have to put that behind us now and look forward to the qualifiers for the European championships and push on from there. So now we will go back to our club sides and then get ready for the friendly game against Wales."

Berra's performance at the heart of the defence alongside captain Stephen McManus against the Japanese was blighted by an own goal in the 82nd minute which gave the home side the lead with Keisuke Honda added a second in the final minute.

There was little Berra could have done about the goal he conceded, such was the quality of the low cross sent into the penalty area by substitute Yuichi Komano, and had he not intervened it seemed almost certain that the chance would have been converted by one of the in-rushing Japanese forwards.

With only a handful of caps to his name, Berra was nevertheless one of the more experienced Scotland players in the starting line-up at Nissan Stadium, with Lee Wallace, Graham Dorrans, Craig Conway and Ross Wallace given their international debuts and Don Cowie and Stephen Hughes coming on as substitutes to earn their first caps.

Hearts full-back Wallace hopes he won't become Scotland's latest one-cap wonder.

Burley has hinted those who played well in the 2-0 defeat would continue to be part of his plans going forward.

That will encourage Wallace, who had been hoping for a national call but was only included this time following a late injury to Danny Fox.

Wallace said: "I will try to play well at club level, keep my fingers crossed and hopefully catch the eye and stay in the frame for Scotland.

"I have missed out on a few squads but was happy just to keep playing well with Hearts. This shows the Scotland gaffer is keeping a close eye on me and my progress. Left-back is a position where there are options for the manager and I know I was fortunate to get a game. But you never know what can happen."

Wallace admitted he had butterflies walking out onto the field on Saturday.

"I knew I'd be a bit nervous – that happens in every game. But as soon as the whistle went I was fine. You grow in confidence as soon as you get your first pass off. I kept concentrating because Japan are hard opponents, quick and comfortable on the ball.

"We might have held on for a draw but the last 10 minutes were disappointing. We now have to pick ourselves up and move on."

While Japan had to wait until the last eight minutes to seal their win against a barely recognisable Scotland team, Honda just missed the target with a swirling shot from 35 yards just six minutes in, while Steven Whittaker was forced into some last-ditch defending in the opening stages.

Atsuto Uchida found more space behind Wallace in the 17th minute after being played in by Honda but Kengo Nakamura scuffed his shot harmlessly off target.

Ten minutes before the interval Nakamura sent the best chance of the half skidding into the side netting, while Naohiro Ishikawa finished tamely twice before the whistle.

Scotland were livelier after the break but it was goalkeeper Craig Gordon, who made the first serious save, parrying Honda's dipping free-kick after 55 minutes. The visitors' best chance fell to second-half substitute Steven Fletcher, who should have done better when he was released to go one-on-one with the goalkeeper. The Burnley striker tried to go around Eiji Kawashima, but the keeper stuck out a foot and won the ball with a tackle his defenders would have been proud of.

Within a minute of coming on, Jubilo Iwata defender Komano played a key role in Japan's opening goal, sending in the low cross that Berra put into his own net, sticking out a leg in an attempt to stop the ball reaching Morimoto.

If there was an element of fortune to the opening goal, the second was more decisive, Honda killing off the game in the dying seconds when he side-footed home after the visitors failed to clear a low cross by substitute Yuichi Komano.

Japan coach Takeshi Okada had been far from happy with the patchwork Scotland line-up before the match, but was content to see his own hastily remodelled side persevere for a deserved win.

Burley, meanwhile, was not too despondent. "Japan had a lot of possession but didn't have too many chances. We were disappointed about giving away the own goal," he said.

HOW THEY RATED

CRAIG GORDON 7/10

The Sunderland goalkeeper is Scotland's only class player and he gave the usual sense of confidence to his defence. Good save from Keisuke Honda's free-kick after the break.

STEVEN WHITTAKER 6

One of the few Scotland regulars to start the game, he was caught out of position on at least a couple of occasions while adding little going forward.

STEPHEN MCMANUS 8

Castigated by club manager Tony Mowbray in recent weeks, the Celtic and Scotland skipper returned to basics and had a solid game which should do his confidence good. A great block in the first half from Nakamura prevented a certain goal.

CHRISTOPHE BERRA 7

Given a rare opportunity to show what he can do, the Wolves stopper helped McManus stem the Japan tide with some crucial interceptions and tackles but was unlucky enough to score an own goal.

LEE WALLACE 7

Making his debut at left-back, a composed, confident and often tenacious Wallace did not look out of place but, after an early flurry, offered less in an attacking sense later on.

GARY CALDWELL 6

Playing in front of the back four, but the central defender struggled to give protection to the Scottish defence. Picked up a needless booking.

ROSS WALLACE 5

A debut for the hard-working Preston winger who spent most of his time working backwards on the right-hand side before giving way to Don Cowie at the interval.

CHARLIE ADAM 6

The former Rangers midfielder has impressed since his move to Blackpool but had an erratic game which typified his time at Ibrox.

CRAIG CONWAY 6

An unlikely debut for the Dundee United midfielder, he threw in a couple of great crosses which amounted to the visitors' only real threat in the first half.

GRAHAM DORRANS 6

Another debutant, Dorrans was asked to support the lone striker but while his work rate was impressive, most of his game was spent spoiling rather than creating.

LEE MILLER 5

Without a goal to his name this season, Miller was asked to lead the line and without any real support or service he did not look like breaking his duck before he was replaced by Fletcher.

SUBSTITUTES:

DON COWIE 6

Replaced Ross Wallace at the break to make his debut, Cowie set up Fletcher for Scotland's best chance with a fine first-time pass.

STEVEN FLETCHER 5

Came on for Miller for the start of the second half and blew a great chance when he was sent clear by Cowie, but was foiled by Japan keeper Eiji Kawashima.

STEPHEN HUGHES 5

Replaced Adam in the 67th minute to make his debut but made little impression.

DEREK RIORDAN 5

Was given 16 minutes as substitute for Conway as the game became increasingly disjointed but had little time to show his undoubted talent.