England man for man

David James: Saved from Tamada (uncomfortably) and Nakamura (from distance) but vulnerable at closer range, as in equaliser through legs. Mark: 4/10

David James: Saved from Tamada (uncomfortably) and Nakamura (from distance) but vulnerable at closer range, as in equaliser through legs. Mark: 4/10

Gary Neville: With Beckham not sticking to the wing, had less chance for overlap. Preoccupied with tracking Santos. 5

John Terry: Started with composure, passing neatly. Threatened in the air. But concentration lapsed. 5

Sol Campbell: Power-based cover for James, who needed it, but found Japan's pace and passing tricky. 5

Ashley Cole: Unusually hesitant to run with the ball, preferring to check and pass backwards. Important pre-interval tackle on Tamada. 5

David Beckham: Used an increasing range of short passes (some pretty, some ineffective) but accuracy and dead balls below par. 5

Frank Lampard: Did well for a man obviously told to be the base of the diamond. Blocked and harried. Sporadically probing. 6

Paul Scholes: Lucky not to concede penalty. But good outweighed bad: threaded passes, tackles, long-range shots and thought. 6

Steven Gerrard: Made powerful runs with elegance. Made passing look easy. Made touch interceptions look light. Made goal. 6

Wayne Rooney: In the first half he was subtle, all dinks and selfless lay-offs. In the second, bustling and strong, he made Japan uneasy. 6

Michael Owen: Ran miles, spinning off defenders in search of infrequent telling passes. Ran at the defence to score poacher's goal. 6

Substitutes:

Darius Vassell: Altered attack options but England spent more time defending after his arrival.

Emile Heskey: Had little chance to make an impact with lack of late service.

Kieron Dyer: Gave brief glimpse of how he can threaten pressing forward.

Joe Cole: Lively and eager to create but lacked time.

Owen Hargreaves: Too little time to show how he provides options in middle.

Nicky Butt: At least a chance of first-team football, a novelty this season.

Phil Neville: No time to make impact.

Ledley King: No time to do much.