Must Do Berra Next Time

Last updated : 11 October 2009 By Ed_ScottishFitba
"...so if anyone touches it, it's going to go in and unfortunately it was me"
Understandably disappointed, Christophe Berra was looking on the good parts of Scotland's performance in Yokohama. He was the man guilty of scoring the opening goal in the 2-0 loss to Japan at the Nissan Stadium. Yuichi Komano's 82nd minute cross was diverted by Berra past Craig Gordon in Scotland's goal. Eight minutes later, Keisuke Honda sealed the win for World Cup-bound Japan, who controlled the tempo of the game. Berra said: "
I think we defended well overall and, I know I gave away the own goal, but there was nothing I could do to be honest. He couldn't have played in a better ball. We gave the ball away from a throw-in, which we shouldn't have done, and we were punished. He sent in a great ball, the defenders were running back towards goal and the forwards are running onto to it so if anyone touches it, it's going to go in and unfortunately it was me."

Berra linked up with Celtic defender and stand-in Scotland captain Stephen McManus in the centre of defence and was satisfied with their fledgling partnership. He said: "
I thought until the goal Stephen and I were pretty solid. I'm not sure how the press will look at it but the coach will know we played well. There's a lot of positives to take from this for everyone. They had a few crosses from dangerous areas but in the first half our keeper didn't have a save to make. In the second half they had a few more shots but we had a chance as well and the linesman was flagging us off when I thought we were through, although it was hard to see for sure from where I was on the field. They have a lot of players in the front four who are always changing and moving and as a defender that's tough but I don't think they caused us too many problems. They had a lot of possession but overall I don't think they created many chances. In the first half I don't think the keeper had a save to make. Maybe they have to shoot more and be more direct. They're very mobile, a bit smaller and a bit tricky but you just have to stay on your feet because if you dive in that's what they want."
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