Japan Vs Iceland Highlights, International Friendly 2026: Koki Ogawa's Late Goal Hands Blue Samurai Victory In Tokyo

Greetings, we are back with another live blog as Japan take on Iceland - stay tuned for live updates.

ISL Starting XI: Valdimarsson, Magnússon, Thórhallsson, Grétarsson, Tómasson, Thórdarson, Baldursson, Ellertsson, Hlynsson, Thórdarson, Willumsson.

We are seconds away from the kick-off at the Japan National Stadium.

Peep pee! Whistle is blown and we are away at the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo for the international friendly between Japan and Iceland.

Japan 0-0 Iceland 1'

Early exchanges and Japan are dominating the ball against Iceland. Japan have 81% of the ball inside the six minutes and it seems this will be the pattern for the rest of the game too.

Japan 0-0 Iceland 6'

Uh-oh! Seems like Japan have an injury worry. Veteran defender Maya Yoshida has gone down and will have to be replaced. Hiroki Ito is coming on as his replacement.

Japan 0-0 Iceland 14'

There has been nothing major to report from this game with hardly any action. Few hits and misses but that's about it.

Japan 0-0 Iceland 26'

Kristian Hlynsson becomes the first player in the match to get booked. The Icelandic player goes in for a reckless challenge and ref is helpless and has to book him.

Japan 0-0 Iceland 33'

Hákon Valdimarsson, Brentford goalie, denies Ao Tanaka from scoring after the the Japanese player has a right footed shot from outside the box.

Japan 0-0 Iceland 39'

Fourth official has announced 4 minutes of added time. Nothing major to report in this half. Japan have had few shots on target but Icelandic goalie Valdimarsson has remained untroubled.

Japan 0-0 Iceland 45+1'

That is it! First half ends with both sides locked at 0-0. Japan had most of the chances with Iceland, defending deep in their half.

Japan 0-0 Iceland

We are away for the second half at the Japan National Stadium. Japan make wholesale changes for the second half.

• Yukinari Sugawara replaces Ritsu Doan

• Koki Ogawa replaces Ayase Ueda

• Ayumu Seko replaces Wataru Endo

• Yuto Nagatomo replaces Junya Ito

Japan 0-0 Iceland 46'

Yuto Nagatomo sees his effort blocked with a brilliant assist from Yukinari Sugawara. The former Inter Milan defender has a right-footed shot but is saved by Hákon Valdimarsson.

Japan 0-0 Iceland 55'

Keito Nakamura sees his footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked by the ISL defence. Iceland are producing a steely performance today.

Japan 0-0 Iceland 63'

• Tsuyoshi Watanabe replaces Ko Itakura

• Keisuke Goto replaces Ao Tanaka

• Kento Shiogai replaces Keito Nakamura

• Aron Gunnarsson replaces Andri Baldursson

• Benony Andrésson replaces Brynjólfur Willumsson

Japan 0-0 Iceland 73'

The game has seen some superb fan support from the Japanese supporters but on the field, the game has lacked the quality. If this were to be a WC game, my word, there would have been panic on the streets of Tokyo.

Japan 0-0 Iceland 83'

We have lift-off! Finally we have a goal and the Japanese fans can celebrate. Koki Ogawa scores from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner.

Japan 1-0 Iceland 87'

FT at the Japan National Stadium as Japan hold on to their 1-0 win over Iceland and gives them a major boost ahead of the WC in the United States.

Koki Ogawa with the late goal.

Japan 1-0 Iceland FT