Valverde scores, and Uruguay draws with Japan in friendly

In the first appointment of the selections after the Qatar World Cup in 2022, Japan and Uruguay faced each other this Friday and stayed in the 1 draw at the National Stadium in Tokyo. Federico Valverde scored for the South Americans, while Takuma Nishimura scored for the home team.

Under new command, Uruguay had news in the first team and young players gained opportunities. After the Cup, the Uruguayan federation decided to change the technical command and dismissed Diego Alonso, replacing him with interim Marcelo Broli.

Without Suárez, Cavani or Godín, the Celeste team had youngsters like defender Santiago Bueno, defensive midfielder Manuel Ugarte, winger Facundo Pellistri, and Maxi Gómez in attack. The star of the team, therefore, was Fede Valverde, from Real Madridwho opened the scoring in the 38th minute after taking a long shot, hitting the post and taking advantage of his own rebound.

🗣️ Hey, hey!

Once forgive, twice no.

📺 https://t.co/qVMBrYJR1J #ElEquipoQueNosUne pic.twitter.com/jPx1gub7Cd

— Uruguayan National Team (@Uruguay) March 24, 2023

After the World Cup campaign in which they reached the round of 16, beating Germany and Spain in the group stage, the Japanese team maintained the basis of the starting lineup in the friendly. However, Japan only reacted after the substitutions in the 2nd stage.

Takuma Nishimura, who plays for Yokohama F. Marinos, tied the game in the 30th minute of the second half. The home team took advantage of a counterattack and after a cross from the right, Nishimura invaded the area without marking and sent it to the net.

Following the friendly matches, Japan faces Colombia this Tuesday, in Tokyo, while Uruguay faces South Korea, in Seoul, on the same day.

Check the result of other friendlies this Friday

Australia 3 x 1 Ecuador
South Korea 2 x 2 Colombia