TOKYO, Jan 26: Japan were held to a goalless draw by Chile on Saturday in a two-match tune-up series for the World Cup qualifying round starting next month in Tokyo.

“It was good that we managed to cope with their counter-attacks, but I wanted to win,” said Japan coach Takeshi Okada after his first international game since he took over from Ivica Osim who suffered a serious stroke in November.

“Chile is a good team. We had some chances, but we couldn’t send the ball to the forwards. That’s why we couldn’t score.”Japan missed early chances by Seiichiro Maki and Kengo Nakamura, while the visitors demonstrated better ball control and often interrupted Japanese passes.

Chile controlled the match better in the second half with midfielder Gonzalo Fierro firing a sizzling shot, which forced Japanese goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi to punch out.

Kobe striker Yoshito Okubo replaced Naohiro Takahara in the 62nd minute to galvanise the home side, hitting a couple of shots within two minutes after the change, though both went over the bar.

Maki had several chances in the area afterwards, but was never able to hit close shots, while Okubo put another one over the bar in the 85th minute.

“Chile continued to put pressure on us throughout the whole 90 minutes and it was a good experience for us. Although I wanted to win today, maybe it was better than winning. We have much more to improve,” said Okada.

Chile’s Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa appeared satisfied with his young players’ performance, especially midfielder Marco Estrada.

In their next tune-up games on Wednesday, Japan play Bosnia and Herzegovina, while Chile take on South Korea.

Japan will start their first qualifying game against Thailand on February 6 in the Asian Group Two, which also includes Bahrain and Oman.

Chile, whose next qualifier will be in June against Bolivia, have plenty of work to do after one win, one draw and two defeats, leaving them in seventh place in the 10-nation South American qualifying round.

—AFP