Scotland’s best chance of the game came with their first attack.
Napoli star Scott McTominay charged into the box to meet John McGinn’s cross from the right, but was denied by an excellent save by goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, who managed to turn the shot on to the post.
Despite that bright Scotland start, it was the visitors who slowly but surely took control.
Kodai Sano shot straight at Gunn from long range and then fired too high, Yuito Suzuki could not beat the goalkeeper after driving into the box, and Ao Tanaka’s first-time shot flicked the bar on its way over.
Scotland improved after half-time, forcing Japan to go long and creating chances of their own without applying the crucial final touch.
McTominay had a looping header clear…