Red-hot Sugimoto steers Japan to 1-0 win

Friday, 20 July 2012 16:57

Nottingham: Kenyu Sugimoto scored a solitary goal as Japan men’s Olympics Team defeated Belarus 1-0 in the friendly international played as part of the London Olympics preparation on Wednesday. Keigo Higashi released an ideal pass at the edge of the box and Sugimoto converted the chance nine minutes from time to seal Japan’s fighting win at the City Ground in Nottingham. Sugimoto had scored against New Zealand a week ago in Japan’s 1-1 draw at home. "Our players need to blend in with each other a little more, but we defended according to plan in both halves," Japanese coach Takashi Sekizuka was quoted by JFA’s official website. Japan will play Mexico on Saturday at the same venue - the last of their friendly match. "Our players understand how they should play," Sekizuka said. "Now, we need to work on physical fitness ahead of the Olympic Tournament." Japan, who will be making a fifth straight appearance in the Olympics men’s football tournament in London, will take on Spain on July 26. The Glasgow tie will be followed by a St. James’ Park match against Morocco on July 29th while the last match of the Group Stage is scheduled at Ricoh Arena, Coventry, against Honduras on August 1.