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TOKYO, Jan 26 (Reuters) - Japan were held to a 0-0 draw by Chile in a friendly on Saturday in Takeshi Okada's first match in charge since returning as coach.
Both sides struggled to gained the upper hand in bone-chilling conditions at Tokyo's National Stadium, although substitute Yoshito Okubo came desperately close late on.
"We knew Chile would put us under pressure," Okada told Reuters. "The key was how we dealt with it. We had chances but we snatched at them a bit."
"Chile are a good team but we have to be more intent on getting results," he added.
Okada, who took over again last month after Ivica Osim suffered a life-threatening stroke, surprised a crowd of 37,000 by taking off striker Naohiro Takahara after 62 minutes.
His replacement Okubo promptly blazed wastefully over with his first touch but went closer moments later with a curling effort that shaved the bar.
Okubo almost broke the stalemate in the 82nd with a powerful header that goalkeeper Miguel Pinto brilliantly turned away.
"It obviously wasn't the sort of result we wanted," said Takahara, who did not look best pleased at being substituted. "We are not match sharp yet and made mistakes under pressure."
Osim is expected to make an emotional appearance at Japan's second Kirin Challenge Cup friendly against his native Bosnia at the same venue on Wednesday.
The three-times Asian champions play Thailand at home on Feb. 6 in their first qualifier for the 2010 World Cup.
