Osaka, Japan: Takayuki Morimoto scored twice in the first half to help Japan beat Guatemala 2-1, while South Korea lost to Iran at home in friendly internationals on Tuesday.
Japan 2 - Guatemala 1
The Catania forward Takayuki Morimoto gave Japan the lead with a header in the 12th minute and then doubled the advantage eight minutes later when he redirected a shot from Shinji Kagawa into an open net.
"My teammates made it easy for me to score," Morimoto said. "I hadn't scored in a while, so it was nice to contribute."
Guatemala forward Mario Rodriguez pulled one back for the visitors in the 23rd minute with a right-footed drive from 16 meters (yards).
Guatemala, 119th in the FIFA rankings, kept the game close and almost equalised late in the second half with a drive from Minor Campollo that was deflected wide by Japan goalkeeper Seigo Narazaki.
Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni watched from the stands. The 57-year-old Italian was appointed on Monday but has yet to receive a work permit.
"The players did well to preserve the lead but I could see they were tiring as the match wore on," said Zaccheroni. Japan defeated Paraguay 1-0 on Saturday.
South Korea 0 - Iran 1
Masoud Shojaei's first-half goal gave Iran a 1-0 victory against South Korea. The Osasuna striker scored in the 35th minute from the edge of the area after receiving a pass from Pejman Nouri following a mistake by South Korea defender Lee Young-pyo.
South Korea was playing its second game since reaching the second round of the World Cup and went close to scoring through Park Ji-sung, Park Chu-young and Lee Chung-yong.
The Koreans put the visitors under pressure for most of the match as both teams continue preparations for the 2011 Asian Cup in January.
The victory marks a successful return to Seoul for Iran coach Afshin Ghotbi, a former assistant with South Korea.
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