Scotland confirm Japan and Curacao Hampden friendlies

Scotland have confirmed friendlies against fellow World Cup finalists Japan and Curacao as final home warm-up matches for this summer's tournament in the Americas.

Steve Clarke's side will face Japan on Saturday, 28 March (17:00 GMT kick-off) before taking on Curacao on Saturday, 30 May (13:00 BST).

Clarke told the Scottish FA website he is delighted to face a top-20 side as Japan visit Hampden for the first time.

"We're also looking forward to welcoming Curacao to Glasgow, which should give us a feel for the CONCACAF federation before our game against Haiti," he said.

It will be a first-ever meeting with the side from the Caribbean island nation, who are currently ranked 82, two places above a Haiti side who are in Scotland's World Cup group.

The Dutch islanders are currently under the guidance of former Rangers and Netherlands boss Dick Advocaat.

Hajime Moriyasu's Japan are currently 18th in the world, 18 places above Scotland, who say "we will shortly be in a position to confirm the details for two away friendly fixtures".

Scotland have played Japan three times, the latest being a 2-0 win for the Samurai Blue in a Yokohama friendly in 2009, having had two previous goalless draws.

Clarke is looking forward to his squad returning to Hampden for the first time since November's thrilling 4-2 win over Denmark that sealed World Cup qualification.

"It will be great to meet up with the squad for the first time since that crazy, momentous night, when they took us back to the World Cup after such a long time," he added.

"We can spend the first day reminiscing but then it's back to the serious business of preparing for the summer."