“Kevin Kelsy fires Venezuela ahead just a minute into the second half, capitalizing on a scramble from a corner after Japan had cleared off the line twice in first-half stoppage time.”
Pivotal“Fresh off the bench, Ayase Ueda equalizes for Japan within three minutes of his introduction, finishing off a Junya Ito assist to restore parity.”
Pivotal“Ayase Ueda converts from the penalty spot in stoppage time to complete his brace and hand Japan a dramatic late win.”
Pivotal
Japan
Venezuela
Outstanding performance
Japan•AttackerJapan's wholesale halftime changes transformed the match, with five substitutes introduced at once injecting urgency and directness that the flat first-half performance had lacked. Venezuela struck first through Kevin Kelsy just a minute into the second half, exploiting a rare lapse after dominating the closing stages of the opening period, but Japan responded almost instantly through fresh substitute Ayase Ueda, who leveled things within three minutes of coming on. The hosts controlled proceedings thereafter, racking up 41 dangerous attacks to Venezuela's 12 and dominating territorially, though wasteful finishing - just 4 shots on target from 12 attempts - kept the visitors in the contest until Ueda's stoppage-time penalty settled it. Venezuela will take some encouragement from their defensive resilience and the seven corners won despite being second-best for most of the second half, while Japan's ability to change the game from the bench offers a useful template heading into future fixtures.
How entertaining was this match?
Yellow card.
Goal! The score is now 2-1.
Corner awarded.
Jon Aramburu takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Jesus Ramirez takes a shot with his head, but it's saved.
Kaina Tanimura comes on for Satoshi Tanaka.
Satoshi Tanaka takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Jesus Ramirez takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Cristhian Casseres Jr takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Keito Nakamura is on, and Yuki Soma is off.
Hiroki Ito is on, and Ayumu Seko is off.
Ritsu Doan comes on for Shuto Nakano.
Wikelman Carmona is on, and Marco Libra is off.
Gleiker Mendoza replaces Kevin Kelsy.
Yuki Soma takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Jon Aramburu receives a yellow card.
Cristhian Casseres Jr comes on for Daniel Pereira.
Jesus Ramirez is on, and Bryan Castillo is off.
Shuto Nakano takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Bryan Castillo takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Ayase UedaAyase Ueda scores with a right-footed shot.
assist: Junya Ito
Goal! Ayase Ueda scores to make it 1-1, assisted by Junya Ito.
Zion Suzuki is on, and Leo Kokubo is off.
Kevin Kelsy takes a left-footed shot and scores.
Ao Tanaka comes on for Daichi Kamada.
Ayase Ueda comes on for Keisuke Goto.
Takefusa Kubo comes on for Ryunosuke Sato.
Junya Ito is substituted off for Shunsuke Saito.
assist: Luis Balbo
Goal! Kevin Kelsy scores to make it 0-1, assisted by Luis Francisco Balbo Vieira.
Christian Makoun takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked off the line.
Bryan Castillo's header is blocked off the line.
The first half ends with a score of 0-0.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Yuki Soma attempts a header but misses the shot.
Keisuke Goto takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Shunsuke Saito takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
Yuki Soma takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
Shunsuke Saito takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Kevin Kelsy attempted a header but missed the shot.
Tsuyoshi Watanabe attempts a header but misses the shot.
Satoshi Tanaka is substituted off for Koki Kumasaka.
Corner awarded.
Shunsuke Saito takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Kick-off has occurred!
Fresh off a 3-1 win over Uruguay, Japan return home to Hiroshima as heavy favorites against a Venezuela side still finalizing its squad on the eve of kickoff. With Takehiro Tomiyasu out injured, Japan's depth will be tested, but their attacking form and home comfort make them the clear pick.
