Scotland begin their FIFA World Cup preparations on Saturday, as they entertain Japan at Hampden Park. This fixture is the first of two friendly games for the Tartan Army, with a trip to Liverpool to face the Ivory Coast on Tuesday next week.
Scotland have been drawn in a group alongside Morocco, Haiti and five-time champions of the world in Brazil. Steve Clarke's side finished top of their qualification group for the World Cup with 13 points gained from six group fixtures, finishing two points clear of nearest challengers, Denmark. Scotland ended their qualifying campaign with four wins from their final five group games and with three straight wins at home. Scotland's last defeat at home was against Iceland in a friendly fixture in June of last year.
Japan's World Cup preparations began last September after securing qualification in June of last year. The visitors to Hampden Park come into this fixture having won their last three matches against Bolivia (3-0), Ghana (2-0) and Brazil (3-2). Japan have a few notable representatives on their side with the likes of Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton), Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace) and in particular Daizen Maeda, who features for Scottish Premiership side Celtic.
The home side has not kept a clean sheet in four games, their record at home will provide Japan a difficult challenge to overcome. Japan are unbeaten in four, so a stalemate could be on the cards in this fixture.
Scotland 2-2 Japan
