International Friendlies: Manchester United's Kagawa scores as Japan win 3-1 against Costa Rica

Shinji Kagawa of Japan celebrates with his team mates after scoring a goal during the International Friendly Match between Japan and Costa Rica at Raymond James Stadium on June 2, 2014 in Tampa, Florida.

With a 3-1 win over Costa Rica at the Raymond James stadium in Tampa, Florida on Monday, Asian champions Japan will be taking great encouragement from their performance as they head into the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

It was Costa Rica who opened the scoring in the first half through Captain Bryan Ruiz who was left unmarked, and almost found it too easy to make the run into the box outracing Japan defender Yasuyuki Konno, and tap in the goal from a well-placed cross from Junior Diaz from the left flank of the pitch.

Bryan Ruiz’s goal

However, post the half-time break, it was Japan all over with Gamba Osaka’s Yasuhito Endo, equalizing for Japan in the 60th minute through a brilliant pass from Japanese captain Keisuke Honda.

Yasuhito Endo’s goal

Manchester United playmaker Shinji Kagawa was successful in getting his name on the score sheet as well with a well-composed shot following a clumsy one-two in the 81st minute of the game.

Shinji Kagawa’s goal

The final nail on Costa Rica’s coffin was planted by Yoichiro Kakitani who slotted the ball into the net following a poor heading clearance by Junior Diaz.

Japan have been drafted into Group C, and they start their journey in Brazil on June 14 against Ivory Coast. They will be realistic about their qualification chances after they have been seeded in a competitive group comprising of Greece, Ivory Coast and Colombia.

Watch the full highlights here:

[Shout-out to the lads at Reddit’s r/soccer for the brilliant GFYs.]