ROME (Kyodo) World Cup defender Yuto Nagatomo put in a solid shift on his league debut Saturday as newly promoted Cesena held Serie A heavyweight Roma to a 0-0 draw in its season opener.
Cesena looked to create on the counterattack from the start and Nagatomo almost marked his debut with a goal on 20 minutes, the fleet-footed former FC Tokyo right -back firing just wide following a pass from Emanuele Giaccherini.
"I hit it just past the post but I was able to keep my composure and go for goal. I felt my World Cup experience showed," said the 23-year-old Nagatomo, who helped Japan exceed expectations and reach the second round of this summer's finals in South Africa.