Overview

• Japan drew 2–2 with Paraguay in an Oct. 10 friendly at Panasonic Stadium Suita, with Koki Ogawa and late substitute Ayase Ueda scoring for the hosts.
• Paraguay struck just after the 20th minute, and Japan responded minutes later when Kaishu Sano won the ball and fed a vertical pass that Ogawa drove in from distance.
• Japan fell behind again in the second half before Ueda equalized near the end, as 34,169 fans looked on.
• The draw follows a September run of one draw and one loss, marking three straight matches without a victory for a team that has publicly set winning the World Cup as its goal.
• With persistent questions about scoring against stronger opponents, as noted by Takumi Minamino before the match, Japan next faces Brazil on Oct. 14 in Tokyo.