Japan will face Uruguay in an international friendly at Miyagi Stadium on 24 September, with kick-off set for 10:05 UTC. The match offers a key test as the team looks to rebound from a 2-1 loss to Brazil in late June.
The manager is expected to use the fixture to fine-tune tactics and integrate lessons from June's European tour. Japan currently sit second in their World Cup qualifying group with 5 points from three matches, just two points behind leaders the Netherlands. The team has scored 7 goals while conceding 3 so far in the campaign. Goalkeeper Suzuki will be key to maintaining that defensive solidity against a potent Uruguayan attack. The team's top scorer this season is Hidemasa Morita with 3 goals in 10 appearances.
Uruguay's last outing was a 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia in mid-June. Facing such a strong South American opponent provides an ideal challenge for Japan's backline ahead of more competitive fixtures. Fans can check the team's upcoming fixtures and detailed stats on the official site.
Following this friendly, Japan will enter their final preparations for October's World Cup qualifying matches.
