Yasuhito Endo’s goal was cancelled by Nicolas Fedor as Japan were held to a 1-1 draw by Venezuela on Wednesday in a warm-up game ahead of the final round of World Cup qualifiers. The equaliser came in the 62nd minute when second-half substitute midfielder Josef Martinez sent a cross from the right into the Japanese penalty area, where a falling Fedor found the net with his back toward the goal. Earlier, Endo, who hit the home side’s first shot on goal, put Japan one up after defender Yuichi Komano sent a cross from the right to the centre of the penalty area, where Endo fired home a right footer in the 14th minute.
Endo also sent a pass from theto CSKA Moscow midfielder Keisuke Honda, who hit a sizzling shot from the edge of the area, only to see goalkeeper Daniel Hernandez make a fine reflex save in the 21st minute. Venezuela played more aggressively after the break with Fedor, Mario Rondon and Luis Manuel Seijas threatening the Japanese goal mouth at the beginning of the second half.
Japan held to a 1-1 draw by Venezuela in friendly
