Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Yokohama: Reigning Asian champions Japan continued their indifferent start to life under new head coach Javier Aguirre by twice squandering a lead to draw 2-2 with Venezuela on Tuesday.
The result comes after Samurai Blue were beaten 2-0 by Uruguay on Friday and has left Aguirre with plenty to ponder as his side prepare to defend their AFC Asian Cup title in Australia next January.
"I thought we did better in attack today and I'm happy with the new boys," FIFA.com reported Aguirre as saying.
"But once again we've made two mistakes and conceded two goals. Luckily it was only a friendly."
After a goalless first half at the Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, Japan lifted the spirits of the home crowd by taking the lead after 51 minutes when FC Tokyo midfielder Yoshinori Muto, making only his second appearance for the national side, fired home a fierce left-foot shot.
Bloodied and yet unbowed, Venezuela duly drew level seven minutes later courtesy of a Mario Rondon penalty after Hiroki Mizumoto had clumsily brought down Alejandro Guerra.
Four-time Asian Cup winners Japan then went ahead for the second time on 66 minutes, debutant Gaku Shibasaki converting a superb volley after fine approach play by Shinji Okazaki.
A second Japanese error was to prove costly however, as goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima somehow let Gabriel Cichero’s speculative shot from distance squirm through his hands and over the line to secure Venezuela an unlikely draw.
Japan have four other friendlies arranged – including October's clash with Brazil in Singapore – before beginning their AFC Asian Cup 2015 campaign against Palestine on January 12.
Photo: AFP