Comeback against Venezuela: Ueda Ayase's brace and Japan's fighting spirit in Hiroshima

Japan defeated Venezuela 2-1 at Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima on September 28. Ueda Ayase scored both goals, including the decisive penalty. Head coach Moriyasu Hajime described the performance as the 'Japanese spirit'. It was not an easy match. Japan started with four debutants: goalkeeper Kokubo Leo Brian, midfielders Nakano Shuto, Kumasaka Koki, and Saito Shunsuke. Moriyasu's plan was clear: give new players a chance while managing the core group. But trouble arrived early. In the eighth minute, Kumasaka Koki had to leave the pitch with an injury. Japan lost a newcomer at the start, forcing a reshuffle in midfield before the match had settled. Even so, the hosts controlled more of the ball. They pushed Venezuela deep and created some pressure around the box, but lacked a sharp finishing edge. The first half ended 0-0. What Japan lacked was not territory but speed and directness in the final third. When Venezuela's defense held a compact shape, sideways passes and patient combinations were not enough to unlock it. The turning point came from the coaching bench. At the start of the second half, Moriyasu sent on five players: goalkeeper Suzuki Zion, midfielder Tanaka Ao, midfielder Kubo Takefusa, midfielder Ito Junya, and forward Ueda Ayase. They were expected to make the difference. But disaster struck just 26 seconds into the second half. From the left side, Venezuela crossed into the box and Kelsi finished to open the scoring. The hosts were 0-1 down just as they had changed the game. Japan's response was the real story. Only four minutes after conceding, Ito Junya received the ball on the left, spotted space behind the defensive line, and delivered a cross for Ueda Ayase to run onto. The forward finished with his right foot, beating the Venezuela goalkeeper to make it 1-1. It continued the Ito-Ueda connection after the two had combined to score against Uruguay on September 24. It needed only one run and one accurate cross. The match was not over. Late on, center-back Watanabe Tsuyoshi suffered an injury and had to leave the pitch. Japan had no substitutions left and had to play with one fewer player for the remaining time. Venezuela were awarded a penalty, seemingly a chance to decide the match. But VAR intervened. The referee determined that Kubo Takefusa had been fouled inside the box earlier, so the penalty was awarded to Japan instead. From 11 meters, Ueda Ayase made no mistake. He scored his second goal to seal a 2-1 win. It was a symbolic brace: the first from a close-range finish after Ito's assist, the second under mental pressure in a game that had been turned upside down. Ueda showed calmness and positioning in the box, qualities long rated highly in his development. After the match, head coach Moriyasu Hajime stressed: 'It really is the Japanese spirit. Even in difficult circumstances, the whole team stayed resilient and fought to the end.' He also admitted that the unexpected loss of a player forced the team to play a man down, but praised his players for 'switching their mindset' and showing the desire to win at home. This win was not the result of one individual. It reflected Moriyasu's ability to change the flow. Sending on five experienced players at once showed he wanted to raise the tempo from the start of the second half. When the goal was conceded, Japan did not collapse. Instead, they accelerated. The introduction of Ito on the left and Ueda in the box created a direct link, turning seemingly dead situations into chances. More broadly, the match revealed both strengths and problems for Japan. The positive was squad depth. Even with four debutants starting, the team kept its structure. When the key players entered, the quality rose clearly. The ability to endure and respond after conceding is a sign of a team with character. The never-give-up spirit Moriyasu called the 'Japanese spirit' was not empty words; it was tested in a match full of twists. But there were concerns. Kumasaka Koki's injury after only eight minutes showed the risk of giving newcomers opportunities in a high-intensity match. Watanabe Tsuyoshi's late exit left the defense shaken. The initial penalty awarded to Venezuela showed Japan can still leave gaps in front of the box. If VAR had not intervened, the outcome could have been different. The win brought joy, but it did not erase all questions about maintaining focus when pushed into adversity. For Venezuela, the visitors caused plenty of problems. Kelsi's opening goal came from a well-worked wide attack. They accepted ceding territory, waited for counterattacking chances, and nearly created a decisive moment with the penalty. But VAR and Ueda's excellence took that chance away. Venezuela left Hiroshima with a narrow defeat, though they showed they can be uncomfortable for any opponent who underestimates them. The match also mattered for the debutants. Kokubo Leo Brian made his debut in goal. He did not face many complex saves, but showed the necessary composure. Nakano Shuto and Saito Shunsuke had a chance to feel the pace of international football. Kumasaka Koki was unfortunate with injury, but starting was a signal that Moriyasu is willing to refresh the squad. In a match where Japan had to use backup options, such experience has long-term value. For Ueda Ayase, this performance strengthened his position as a leading striker. Two goals against Venezuela, after scoring against Uruguay, show he is in strong form and important to Moriyasu's system. His positioning, one-touch finishing, and penalty-box composure are qualities Japan need from a center-forward. If he maintains consistency, Ueda can be a long-term spearhead. Tactically, Moriyasu showed flexibility. In the first half, a lineup with many debutants controlled play but lacked penetration. In the second half, he changed personnel to increase speed. Ito Junya brought crossing ability from the left, while Ueda provided a finishing point in the box. The combination of wide speed and a striker's positioning was the formula that helped Japan equalize. The penalty goal later was a consequence of the team maintaining mental pressure despite playing a man down. From the opponent's perspective, Venezuela may feel regret. They led, had moments to extend the lead, and late in the match were awarded a penalty. But VAR reversed the situation. It is a lesson in focus: in modern football, one moment of lost control can completely change the picture. Venezuela played well enough to trouble Japan, but were not cold enough to finish them off. For Japan, the 2-1 win over Venezuela is a mental boost. The team showed it can respond to adversity: losing a player early, conceding at the start of the second half, playing a man down late, and facing a penalty. They overcame all of it. Moriyasu can be pleased with the spirit, but there is much work to do on the tactical board. Defensive solidity, control of tempo, and attacking plans against a deep block remain questions that need time to answer. The final highlight lies in how Moriyasu framed the collective. He did not praise only Ueda, even though the striker scored both goals. He emphasized the 'Japanese spirit', the ability to endure and fight to the end. That was the message throughout: individuals shine, but the team is the foundation. In a match with so many twists, that spirit made the difference. The match ended at Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima with a 2-1 score. Ueda Ayase left with two goals, Moriyasu gained more evidence of squad depth, and Japan's fans had an emotional evening. But behind the win, issues of injuries, consistency, and defensive stability still wait to be solved. That is why this victory is worth more than an ordinary friendly.