Japan end woeful run with 4-2 win

JAPAN claimed their first victory of the year on Tuesday, coming from behind to beat Paraguay 4-2 and boost sagging morale a week before their opening World Cup Group H match against Colombia.

It was their first win under coach Akira Nishino, who had lost friendlies against Ghana and Switzerland.

Japan scored four times despite managing only three shots against Paraguay, who failed to reach the World Cup finals.

Takashi Inui set up the victory in the Austrian city of Innsbruck with two second-half goals.

Paraguay’s Federico Santander scored an own goal and Shinji Kagawa put the result beyond doubt with a stoppage-time effort. – AFP