Japan beats Argentina 1-0 in exhibition for first win under new coach Alberto Zaccheroni

Japan beats Argentina for 1st time in exhibition

SAITAMA, Japan — Japan defeated Argentina for the first time in an exhibition, 1-0 Friday night for its first win under new coach Alberto Zaccheroni.

Shinji Okazaki scored in the 19th minute for Japan, which had been 0-6 against the Albiceleste.

Argentina was at full strength, with a lineup that included Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez and Diego Milito.

The 57-year-old Zaccheroni, a former coach AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus, took over as Japan’s coach from Takeshi Okada following the nation’s second-round loss to Paraguay at the World Cup.

Interim Argentina coach Sergio Batista lost for the first time since replacing Diego Maradona following the World Cup.