Berra updeat despite defeat

Berra: In action in Yokohama

Christophe Berra feels there are plenty of positives to be taken from Scotland's 2-0 defeat to Japan.

The injury-ravaged Scots were forced to field a shadow side in Saturday's friendly fixture in Yokohama.

An inexperienced team was unable to hold a nation who have already booked their tickets to South Africa for next summer's World Cup finals.

An unfortunate own goal from Berra broke the deadlock against the Japanese, before Keisuke Honda wrapped things up moments from the end.

Afterwards the Wolves defender refused to be downbeat about Scotland's performance, insisting George Burley will have been pleased by much of what he saw from his side.

"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," said Berra.

"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."

Solid

Berra was paired at the heart of Scotland's defence alongside stand-in skipper Stephen McManus and felt he formed a promising understanding with the Celtic man.

"I thought until the goal Stephen and I were pretty solid," added the former Hearts defender.

"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."