Japan secured a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Venezuela in an international friendly on Monday. Ayumu Ueda scored both goals, including a stoppage-time penalty, to clinch the win.
Venezuela took an early lead in the second half through Kevin Kelsy. Japan responded instantly, with substitute Junya Ito setting up Ueda for the equaliser just three minutes later. The match remained tightly contested until deep into added time, when José Contreras fouled in the box. Ueda stepped up and converted the resulting penalty to seal a 2-1 triumph.
How the match unfolded
Head coach Hajime Moriyasu set his side up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Léo Kokubo, Tsuyoshi Watanabe and Ayumu Seko in defence. A goalless first half saw both teams create half-chances without finding a breakthrough. Conceding immediately after the restart prompted Moriyasu to make a quintuple substitution in the 46th minute, introducing Ito, Takefusa Kubo and Ueda among others. The changes paid quick dividends with Ueda's leveller. Late yellow cards for Venezuela's Jon Aramburu and Contreras, and one for Japan's Ayumu Tanaka, punctuated a tense finale.
Data and what comes next
Japan edged possession with 52% and registered 11 shots, three of which were on target. Venezuela had nine attempts, hitting the target five times. The team is now on a two-game winning streak and next faces Brazil at home on November 14.
Moriyasu praised his players' resilience after the match. He also highlighted the value of giving minutes to a large portion of the squad. The team will look to carry this momentum into their key World Cup qualifiers.
