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Costa Rica national football team
International Friendlies
Jun 3, 2014 at 2am UK
 
Japan national football team

1-3

Ruiz (32')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Endo (60'), Kagawa (80'), Kakitani (90')

Japan warm up for World Cup with Costa Rica victory

Japan beat Costa 3-1 in Tampa as both teams warmed up with a friendly ahead of the World Cup.

England's World Cup rivals Costa Rica warmed up for the tournament with a 3-1 defeat to Japan in Tampa, Florida.

Both teams had chances early on with Shinji Kagawa going close for the Japanese, but it was former Fulham forward Bryan Ruiz who put Costa Rica ahead just after the half-hour mark.

The playmaker managed to escape the defence's attention at the back post to tap home after good work from Christian Bolanos.

However, Yasuhito Endo got his side back into it on the hour mark when Keisuke Honda was released with a long ball over the top before finding his teammate with a smart cutback.

Manchester United star Kagawa then gave the Japanese the lead 10 minutes from time when he steered a shot beyond Keylor Navas in the Costa Rican goal.

As the game edged into injury time Yoichiro Kakitani put the gloss on the result when he capitalised on a poor clearance to slot home.

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Japan's Keisuke Honda celebrates after scoring his team's second goal against Belgium during their international friendly match on November 19, 2013
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