High-flying Japan stun Swiss

Switzerland 3-4 Japan

Kisho Yano scored in added time to give Japan a thrilling 4-3 victory against the UEFA EURO 2008™ co-hosts Switzerland in Klagenfurt.

Frei injured
Switzerland looked on course to build on Friday's 2-1 victory against Chile as they jumped to a 2-0 half-time lead. But a stirring comeback from Japan after the interval secured victory in an entertaining encounter. Switzerland were without injured captain Alexander Frei and right-back Philipp Degen, while Marco Streller was out with a cold, but even so they quickly imposed themselves. On eleven minutes Ludovic Magnin connected with an indirect free-kick to put Switzerland in front and just two minutes later forward Blaise Nkufo added the second from the penalty spot.

Japan hit back
Switzerland continued to control the game until half-time but the game turned on its head after the break. Japan started with renewed spirit and immediately put the Swiss under pressure. In front of 19,500 at the Wörthersee-Stadion, Shunsuke Nakamura reduced the deficit from the penalty spot on 53 minutes before Seiichiro Maki drew his side level from a corner in the 68th minute. Japan's comeback was complete when Nakamura put them ahead with another penalty 12 minutes from time. Switzerland hit back against the run of play when Johan Djourou equalised shortly before the end, but Japan had the last laugh through Yano's added-time goal. In the night's other match in the four-team tournament Chile defeated Austria 2-0.