Internationals (friendly) 10th-14th October

[MickeyPaul]

I'm liking Japan I have to say. Mighty fine footballing side if a bit 'timid'. If they had some steel and fight they'd be great. They do pass and move with speed and precision though which is usually the kind of style Scotland struggle with. And this Scotland squad seems plagued with call-offs so it's probably going to be a pretty weak looking team we put out. Home win for me.

10 Oct 09:30 Australia v Holland 4.50 3.40 1.72
10 Oct 11:20 Japan v Scotland 1.90 3.25 3.80
10 Oct 15:00 Norway v South Africa 1.95 3.25 3.60

[MickeyPaul]

Bet365 now @ 1.72 for Japan (I forgot to mention I was using their odds in the opening post) - I think they've suddenly realised how weak this Scotland squad is looking.

Anyone think Australia will make it very hard for the Dutch? I don't think they lose many at home do they? And they always seem to prove exceptionally tight and difficult to break down. Some team news required there. I'll have a look.

[HastGill1]

Scotland are going to be struggling to put a team out soon Fletcher and Hutton now withdrawn too taking the total withdrawals to 10..got to fancy Japan havent you? Going to read up a bit on how seriously their taking it i think, but i cant see that Scotland side doing much..

[MickeyPaul]

I'd have fancied Japan even without all the withdrawals, Hast. I've noticed they play with a similar a style throughout all their national sides; very fast, pass and move, darting runs into the box etc. Seems to come natural to all of them.

I expect them to dominate possession (as I think they did last time Scotland played here in the Kirin cup in a 0-0 draw) and I expect them to create quite a few chances. Don't expect them to bust a gut to get on the end of balls into the box though as from what I remember of them, they won't. But I think they'll win.

[Kiko]

Originally Posted by MickeyPaul

I'd have fancied Japan even without all the withdrawals, Hast. I've noticed they play with a similar a style throughout all their national sides; very fast, pass and move, darting runs into the box etc. Seems to come natural to all of them.

I expect them to dominate possession (as I think they did last time Scotland played here in the Kirin cup in a 0-0 draw) and I expect them to create quite a few chances. Don't expect them to bust a gut to get on the end of balls into the box though as from what I remember of them, they won't. But I think they'll win.

Check the Japan squad firsthand Mick. Been stung before as sometimes they pick a J League squad purely and leave out their bigger name players.

[MickeyPaul]

Something else maybe worth noting, Lee Wallace of Hearts was called up (left back) along with Lee Miller of Aberdeen (a striker apparently lol) and I noticed both of them saying their form was 'indifferent' this season. I could see Wallace having a tough time of it if he's playing.

There's also the lengthy travelling to think of on top of everything. Eeeesh.

edit: Kiko, you're right (although I've already committed to the little blighters) but even still..... They could field their women's u20 side and I'd fancy them against whatever we can put out. What kind of team did they field the last time we played there? I'm sure they dominated that game. I was under the impression they were taking this game seriously but I can't remember where I read that. I'm hunting now for news.

[AnothrSpacecat]

I remember when we last played in Japan, there were lots of people saying the same thing about our squad, think it was Hearts playing in the Cup final and Celtic playing Man United, on top of "injuries", that destroyed the squad, back then both Celtic and Hearts had more Scottish internationals.

We played brilliantly in both games.

Wouldnt underestimate the lift that comes with no pressure.

[MickeyPaul]

Oh. I didn't see the Japan game but I remembered reading they dominated it and Scotland were rather poor. I'll see if I can find an old report.

BBC:

Scotland battled to a goalless draw against host nation Japan to claim the Kirin Cup.

After starting well, Scotland were on the back foot for much of the game.

Japan went close on a number of occasions, with Akira Kaji striking the post with a vicious drive from distance midway through the first half.

Shinji Ono was denied by Neil Alexander and Mitsuo Ogasawara's shot was cleared off the line by Gary Caldwell as Scotland held on.

Japan showed an early willingness to shoot from well outside the box when Yasuhito Endo let fly from almost 30 yards, though his shot was slightly too high.

Lee McCulloch had Scotland's first opportunity after 18 minutes, but he sent a back-post header wide of goal.

Akira Kaji was next to try his luck from long-range, but fortune was on the Scots' side as his fierce effort rebounded off the post to safety.

Mitsuo Ogasawara tested Neil Alexander twice within a minute, first shooting straight at the keeper and then forcing Alexander into a diving save to his right.

As the half wore on, Japan began to exert more pressure on the Scotland defence and Gary Caldwell did well to divert a Tatsuhiko Kubo shot wide.

Shortly before the interval, Shinji Ono produced a fantastic piece of skill to carve open the Scotland back-line, only to shoot straight at Alexander and the rebound was deflected wide.

Japan's dominance continued after the break and moments after Alexander had spilled a long-range free kick, Caldwell was in the right place to clear the ball off the line after Yasuhito Endo had cut the ball back into Ogasawara's path.

As is customary in such friendly matches, the second half was littered by substitutions and two of Scotland's replacements - Kris Boyd and Gavin Rae - combined for the latter to shoot straight into the keeper's arms.

At the other end, Anderson made a timely interception to deny Keiji Tamada a shot on goal and in the final minute of regulation time Alexander touched Alex's curling free kick round the post.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4765811.stm

[MickeyPaul]

And:
Scotland's friendly international against Japan will be shown exclusively live on BBC TWO Scotland and on the BBC Sport website to UK users on Saturday.

There will also be coverage of the whole match on BBC Radio Scotland.
Coverage starts at 1100 BST on BBC TWO Scotland and 1115 BST on Radio Scotland FM and 810MW, with a 1115 BST kick-off.

[HastGill1]

Japan have a game against Hong Kong tomorrow i believe which is a qualifier, so will prob wait to see the team news as it falls out after that game..gut instinct says it would prob be daft to bet on a meaningless friendly...but then it is bloody tempting with the team scotland are going to have to put out!

[platform6]

I'd give this one a big swerve. Not worth it.

[Bigkegman]

have a couple of quid on a big scottish price - young guys being called in will want to impress

[HastGill1]

Nah, think im going to leave it having given it a bit of thought..i hate international weeks, and to bet big on a friendly that no-one really cares about is a bit daft esp. considering the Japan price has come down quite a lot since i was first considering it..good luck if you do..

[Winrew]

Scotland match live on the BBC I Player if anyones interested..

[AnothrSpacecat]

Scotland team playing OK so far, Japan nothing like odds on shots as expected.