Japan have beaten fellow World Cup finalist’s Ecuador 1-0 in a World Cup warm-up friendly in Oita on Thursday. Substitute striker Hisato Sato scored six minutes from time to give the hosts the win.

The scores were level at 0-0 until Japan head coach Zico brought on the pacy Sato and Seiichiro Maki. Japan's attack was rejuvenated when Zico substituted the two in the 76th minute and the team change paid dividends just eight minutes later.

Midfielder Mitsuo Ogasawara capitalised on poor defending by Ecuador to control the ball and played the ball to Brazilian-born Alex on the left wing and the defender played a low cross into the centre for Sato to delicately place the ball past Ecuador keeper Mora.

“It was a great ball in from Alex that made it easy for me to score,” Sato told reporters.

Zico said: “I was really pleased with the way the defence performed and how (goalkeeper Yoshikatsu) Kawaguchi played.

“The defenders put in a great effort and really helped the whole team perform well.”

Kawaguchi came did well to keep the scores level in the 32nd minute when he tipped a ferocious 30-metre drive from midfielder Edwin Tenorio onto the crossbar.

That was as close as Ecuador would get to scoring with the home side slowly taking control of the match.

Strikers Tatsuhiko Kubo and Keiji Tamada, who have both struggled in the J. League this season, had superb chances to open the score-line for the Japanese, but both wasted their chances.

Kubo's toe poke in the opening minutes rolled agonisingly past the post, while Ecuador goalkeeper Cristian Mora blocked Tamada’s best effort.

Kubo came close again with a header from a cross from Alex in the 67th minute, but Mora, who had an excellent match for the Ecuadorian’s, tipped the ball away.

Japan have been drawn in Grour F in the Finals, alongside Brazil, Australia and Croatia.

Ecuador will face hosts Germany, Costa Rica and Poland in Group A in the tournament which runs from June 9 – July 9.

Japan:
Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi
Akira Kaji
Miyamoto
Yuji Nakazawa
Alessandro Alex Santos
K Tsuboi
Takashi Fukunishi
Mitsuo Ogasawara
Shinji Ono
Tatsuhiko Kubo
Keiji Tamada

Ecuador:
Cristian Mora 12
J Cortez 13
Geovanny Espinoza 17
Fricson George 4
Marlon Ayovi 15
L Soledispa 5
Edwin Tenorio 20
P Urrutia 6
Johnny Baldeon 7
W Calderon 9
J Perlaza 3

Substitutes
Japan:
Yoichi Doi
Seigo Narazaki
Y Komano
T Moniwa
Makoto Tanaka
Y Abe
M Hasebe
S Maki
H Sato
S Murai

Edwin Villafuerte
L Caicedo
L Saritama
G Figueroa
J Trivino

Substitutions
Japan:
S Maki for K Tamada (77)
H Sato for T Kubo (77)

Ecuador:
L Caicedo for L Soledispa (67)
G Figueroa for W Calderon (67)
L Saritama for P Urrutia (85)

Yellow Cards:

Japan:
Shinji Ono (70)
Takashi Fukunishi (78)

Ecuador:
Fricson George (38)
Edwin Tenorio (54)