Japan beats Venezuela 2-1 on Ueda penalty in Hiroshima

Ayase Ueda scored twice, including a stoppage-time penalty, after coming on at halftime in Monday's Kirin Challenge Cup friendly at Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima, Diário 24 Horas reported. Kevin Kelsy had put Venezuela ahead in the 46th minute.

How the match turned

Ueda equalized in the 49th minute, finishing from a Junya Ito assist. The forward then converted a penalty in the 96th minute to complete the win.

Japan's rotating squad

Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu changed almost every position from the side that beat Uruguay 3-1 four days earlier, Lance reported. Takehiro Tomiyasu was out with a calf problem, while goalkeeper Zion Suzuki trained normally after missing the Uruguay match. Japan is using these friendlies to prepare for January's Asian Cup, which the federation has set as a target. The match was played in front of a sold-out crowd of 28,520 at the Hiroshima stadium.

Venezuela's rebuilding tour

Venezuela was playing its first match since June. The visitors are on a three-match Asian tour that continues against South Korea and Jordan. Coach Oswaldo Vizcarrondo left out Salomón Rondón, Yeferson Soteldo, Jefferson Savarino and Rafael Romo, and said: "We want to project certain players and give them this competitive space in the national team." The visitors brought six players with first-time call-ups, including goalkeeper Frankarlos Benítez.

Before Monday, Japan had never beaten Venezuela in five meetings, with four draws and one Venezuela win, according to Lance and Netvasco. The victory ended that run and gave Japan consecutive wins before facing Ecuador on Oct. 1 in Yokohama.