PARIS: Asian champions Japan gave Javier Aguirre his first win with a laboured 1-0 victory over Jamaica on Friday while Australia struggled to a 0-0 draw in sweltering Abu Dhabi.
Japan, like Australia, building towards the Asian Cup in January, squandered several chances against Jamaica in Niigata but an own goal from Nyron Nosworthy in the 16th minute proved decisive.
Japan were beaten 2-0 by Uruguay and were held 2-2 by Venezuela last month in their first two games under Mexican coach Aguirre, who took charge following the side’s World Cup flop in Brazil.
“I feel calm, relaxed as always. We created five or six more chances to score, which was pleasing,” said Aguirre.
Japan will need to improve before a glamour friendly against Brazil in Singapore on Tuesday.
“We won’t get as many opportunities against Brazil as we did today,” added Aguirre. “We will have to be more clinical when chances come our way.”
In humid Abu Dhabi, Australia were held 0-0 by fellow Asian Cup finalists United Arab Emirates.
Alex Wilkinson needed to clear Ali Ahmed Mabkhout’s attempt off the line in the first half while Trent Sainsbury missed Australia’s best chance late in the game after being teed-up by Tim Cahill.
In Wuhan, China’s build-up for the Asian Cup continued with a 3-0 over Thailand thanks to a second-half own-goal from Thai goalkeeper Sinthaweechai Hathairattanakool, Sun Ke and Yang Xu.
In Muscat, World Cup quarter-finalists Costa Rica edged Oman 4-3 with Alvaro Saborio, John Jairo Ruiz, Juan Bustos and David Ramirez on target while Saleh Raed, Mohammed al-Seyabi and Emad al-Hosani replied for the Gulf state.
Later Friday, Luis Suarez plays his first international for Uruguay since his competitive ban was imposed for biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup.
Suarez, 27, is allowed to play friendly matches and is expected to feature against Saudi Arabia in Jeddah.
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