Japan 3-1 Uruguay Player Ratings: Kento Shiogai & Ayase Ueda Score In A Span Of Two Minutes To Clinch A Hard Fought Win For Samurai Blue

The first international break of the new season had an interesting game in store, as Japan hosted Uruguay in a friendly fixture.

The Asian giants imposed themselves early on in the match, as Southampton's Kuryu Matsuki received a ball on the right-hand side and drove into the Uruguayan backline to cut in and unleash a lethal left-footed curler from the edge of the box to give the Japan national football team the lead in the 12th minute.

The Uruguay national football team gradually grew into the game, trying to stick passes together, but Japan's relentless press was a bit too much to deal with at times.

They eventually got their equalizer in the 42nd minute, as La Celeste's initial effort was parried away by Tomoki Hayakawa, but the ball found its way to Maxi Araújo, who finished it inside the roof of the net from a very tight angle and on the turn, which left the Samurai Blue absolutely bewildered.

Diego Forlán's men seemed to be the better side in the second half, as they created more chances but lacked the finishing touch in front of the goal.

Japan were happy to sit back and hit La Celeste on the counter, but they failed to manage even one shot on target in the second half until the final minute, when a neat exchange in front of the Uruguay box played substitute Kento Shiogai, who nudged ot past Santiago Mele to win it at the very end for Samurai Blue.

Ayase Ueda added a third to kill all hopes for Uruguay, as their bright performance for most of parts of the game went in vain. Check out the Japan vs Uruguay Player Ratings below.

Japan National Football Team Player Ratings vs Uruguay

Have a look at the Japan national football team player ratings from the Japan vs Uruguay Player Ratings.

Uruguay National Football Team Player Ratings vs Japan

Here are the Uruguay national football team player ratings from the Japan vs Uruguay Player Ratings.

Man of the Match

Kuryu Matsuki was adjudged Sportsdunia's man of the match in this international friendly.

Worst Performer

Santiago Mele was the worst of the lot from Japan vs Uruguay.