Japan came from behind twice to seal a 2-2 draw against Paraguay in the KIRIN CHALLENGE CUP 2025 on Friday, Koki Ogawa and Ayase Ueda both finding the net to ensure the Samurai Blue avoided defeat in front of 34,169 fans at Panasonic Stadium Suita.
The first chance of the game fell the way of ex-Yokohama FC striker Ogawa in the fifth minute, but he glanced his header from a Junya Ito cross from the right just wide.
Paraguay also went close with a header soon afterwards, Gustavo Gomez nodding past the far post after Junior Alonso had flicked on a whipped Diego Gonzalez free-kick from the left.
Miguel Almiron did then give Paraguay the lead after 21 minutes in Osaka, superbly controlling a lofted ball in behind the Japan backline before slamming an unstoppable attempt past former Urawa Reds goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.
The hosts struck back with a sensational effort just five minutes later though, when Ogawa received possession 25 yards out and showed no hesitation before unleashing a fierce drive towards goal.
Paraguay goalkeeper Roberto Fernandez managed to get his left hand to the vicious strike, but all that managed to do was send the ball looping up into the air before it dropped back down and over the goal-line.
Takumi Minamino, a product of the Cerezo Osaka academy, almost edged Japan in front after half an hour, but his close-range effort from former Gamba Osaka player Keito Nakamura’s cut-back was saved by Fernandez.
Minamino then thought he’d put Japan 2-1 up four minutes after the restart, but his finish after a cross from Ritsu Doan - also formerly of G-Osaka - was ruled out for offside.
It was instead Paraguay who next got on the scoresheet in the 64th minute, when Diego Gomez managed to steal a march on the Japan defence and direct a powerful header past Suzuki after a terrific cross from the right by Juan Caceres.
It looked as though that would be enough for Paraguay to make sure of victory, but 89th-minute substitute Ueda, previously of MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE side Kashima Antlers, made a dramatic late intervention for Japan.
Paraguay initially cleared a Japan free-kick into the box in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time, but the ball fell to former Kashiwa Reysol winger Ito wide on the right, and he whipped a teasing ball all the way round to the back post where Ueda was waiting to head home and ensure the contest ended all square.
Japan’s next game is sure to provide another stern test against South American opposition, as they take on Brazil in Tokyo on Tuesday.
