A month after routing defending World Cup champion Spain in a friendly, Argentina couldn't come up with the same kind of result against Japan Friday morning (U.S. time).
Shinji Okazaki pounced on a parried save by Argentine keeper Sergio Romero and slotted home the rebound in the 19th minute to lift the Samurai Blue to a 1-0 victory over a full-strength Argentina squad in Saitama, Japan.
The win was not only the first ever for Japan over Argentina, but it also marked a strong result in the debut for new Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni.
Here's Okazaki's goal, which came off a rebound from a 30-yard shot by Makoto Hasebe:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAY_Dq6x8Ps&w=440&h=380]