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Only goal ... Japan striker Mike Havenaar celebrates (Getty Images)
Mike Havenaar scored in the second half as Japan beat United Arab Emirates 1-0 in a friendly.
Havenaar broke in behind UAE's defenders and headed in Yuichi Komano's cross in the 70th minute at Niigata.
Japan used the match as a warm-up for a 11 September qualifier against Iraq for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
"There were some positives and negatives but the most important thing was to check the condition of the team," Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni said.
Japan is five points ahead of Iraq, Australia and Jordan in Group B after a 3-0 win over Oman, a 6-0 victory against Jordan and a 1-1 draw in Australia.
UAE, already eliminated from qualifying for the World Cup, rarely threatened Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima after Rashed Eisa's low drive early in the first half.
Japan's Manchester United playmaker Shinji Kagawa played only the first half.
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