Tokyo, June 2 -- Japan became one of the first beneficiaries of the new time-limited substitution rule on Sunday when they scored while opponents Iceland had just 10 playerson the pitch.
Under several new rules introduced by the International Football Association Board (Ifab) in time for the World Cup, players have 10 seconds to leave the field at the nearest point when being substituted. If they fail to do so, the substitute cannot enter the field for at least one minute until the next stoppage in play, meaning their team must continue with 10 players.
During a friendly between Japan and Iceland on Sunday, Iceland fell foul of the new rule and winger Isak Thorvaldsson was unable to come on.
While Iceland were down a player, Koki Ogawa s...