Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu was impressed by Scott McTominay’s heroics as Scotland beat Denmark 4-2 in November to reach the World Cup.
The Napoli midfielder scored a spectacular overhead kick to open the scoring before Lawrence Shankland, Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean also got on the scoresheet on a famous Hampden night.
And while Moriyasu singled out McTominay and Scotland captain Andy Robertson for praise, he expects a tough test against a team of “high intensity”.
“Andy Robertson, especially, is a player who plays at the top level and also Scott McTominay,” Moriyasu said, via a translator.
“I remember his goal in the World Cup qualifier – an overhead kick which was brilliant.
“But it’s not just those two players, Scotland has many players I admire.
“We are competing against a team of World Cup standard. They are very dynamic in defence and offence as well, they play with a high intensity as well.
“So we are looking forward to playing against a team who is of this level.
“In the game, I want to see where we stand in the whole thing and how much we can express our quality.
“It’s a pleasure to be here, to play against an opponent who has a long history of football.
“Tomorrow’s game is going to be tough but we’d like to work on our tactics before the World Cup.”
