Christophe deserved a Berra result.

Byline: Craig Swan 

CHRISTOPHE BERRA made his most impressive appearance yet in a Scotland jersey in the game with Japan.

But the only thing the Wolves defender got to bring home as a souvenir was an own goal and a giant lump on his head.

Berra won his sixth cap in the Nissan Stadium and was having a superb match until things turned nasty in the final 15 minutes.

First, an ugly clash as he won yet another header in his own penalty box left his head spinning as he stumbled to the sidelines for treatment.

If that wasn't bad enough Berra then turned subYuichi Komano's magnificent cross past keeper Craig Gordon into his own net for Japan's crucial opening goal with just eight minutes left.

It was a sad way for such a good display to end and the Molineux ace said: "The cross that came in was undefendable. I don't think the guy could've played a better ball.

"It was a nightmare because the player behind me was going to score if I hadn't touched it.

"I had to go for it and that was the killer moment for us.

"I also have a lump on my forehead as I caught their guy on the back of the head pretty hard just before the goal.

"At that first goal we were trying to play through Japan and gave the ball away. It all came from that, really.

"Craig didn't have many saves to make before that apart from one from a free-kick.

"And I thought we were looking quite comfortable before they went in front."

In the end it was just another in a long line of Scottish hard-luck stories but boss George Burley could take solace from Berra's display at the heart of the backline.

The centre-back looked strong, aggressive and quick against the intricate Asians but the English Premiership ace was more interested in the team effort as opposed to his individual performance.

Berra said:"We didn't play badly. Okay, we didn't have a lot of possession but in the second half we played better.

"Steven Fletcher had the one-on-one with the keeper but he just got a stud to it.

"It was difficult because we had only trained together for a couple of days sofrom that point of view I don't think we can be disheartened.

"We travelled a long distance and this is a hard place to come to.

"Japan have qualified for theWorldCupandare a good side. But we didn't get over-run and overall we can be pleased with the performance."

CAPTION(S):

AGONY: Gordon, Berra and Caldwell in despair