Japan beats Paraguay 1-0 in friendly

Shinji Kagawa scored the winner as Japan beat Paraguay 1-0 on Saturday in a friendly.

Kagawa, who plays for German first division club Borussia Dortmund, scored in the 64th minute, taking a through pass from Kengo Nakamura and beating Paraguay goalkeeper Justo Villar with a right-footed shot that flew in off the post.

''Kengo made a great pass and I was able to score,'' said the 21-year-old Kagawa, who joined Dortmund in July.

Moments after Kagawa struck, Japan 'keeper Eiji Kawashima preserved the lead with a fine save to deny Paraguay forward Lucas Barrios.

Paraguay had come close to opening the scoring a minute into the second half, when Jonathan Santana fired inches wide of the right post.

The friendly was a rematch of their second-round game in June at the World Cup in South Africa, when Japan lost to Paraguay in a penalty shootout following a 0-0 draw.

Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni watched from the stands. The 57-year-old Italian was appointed on Monday but has yet to receive a work permit.

''I was very impressed with the team,'' Zaccheroni said. ''They were quick and showed good teamwork.''