Japan fail Real test

World Cup co-hosts Japan suffered a 1-0 defeat to an under-strength Real Madrid side at a rain-swept Bernabeu on Tuesday. Rarely used Colombian forward Edwin Congo got the only goal for Real after 26 minutes, turning in from a Roberto Carlos free kick.

Japan, who play Belgium, Russia and Tunisia in Group H in the first phase of the World Cup, created a handful of chances but they could not manage a shot on target until Toshihiro Hattori forced Carlos Sanchez into a point-blank save in the final minute.

The match was billed as part of Real8217;s ongoing centenary celebrations but with just over a week to go before the Champions League final Vicente del Bosque8217;s side were clearly not taking the match too seriously.

Raul and Zinedine Zidane were both absent with minor injures, while Roberto Carlos and Luis Figo played just half an hour.

Congo let fly from long distance to give Japan keeper Hitoshi Sogahata an early test, while a low skidding cross from Roberto Carlos forced a hasty clearance from Koji Nakata. Ivan Campo brought down Junichi Inamoto on the edge of the box and Alessandro Santos was only just over with the resulting freekick.

After 20 minutes Atsushi Yanagisawa, playing despite a broken hand, raced forward from the left as a Real attack broke down. Five minutes later Congo found some space in the Japan area only to see two attempts to shoot blocked. Congo didn8217;t have to wait long to find the score sheet, though, as he was left unmarked in the centre to deflect a Roberto Carlos free.