Ayase Ueda hits brace as Japan edge Venezuela 2-1 in football friendly

HIROSHIMA - Ayase Ueda scored a brace, including a penalty in a frantic end to the game, as Japan saw off Venezuela 2-1 in an international friendly on Monday.

The 17th-ranked Samurai Blue were given a tricky game under heavy rain at Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima as manager Hajime Moriyasu returned to Hiroshima where he came to prominence as both player and manager while at Sanfrecce.