Japan host Venezuela in Under-21 International Friendly at Hiroshima

match details and context

An Under-21 International Friendly fixture between Japan and Venezuela is set for Monday, 28 September 2026, kicking off at 10:25 UTC. The match takes place at Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima in Hiroshima, where Japan will host Venezuela in what promises to be an engaging encounter between two youthful squads eager to impress.

teams' recent form

Japan enter this fixture with a steady set of results from their last five games. They have secured two wins, two draws, and suffered one loss, scoring 11 goals while conceding six. Their performances include a convincing 3-1 home victory over Uruguay on 24 September, a 1-2 defeat away to Brazil on 29 June, and a 4-0 away win against Tunisia on 21 June. On the other hand, Venezuela’s recent form shows two wins, one draw, and two losses over their last five matches. They have scored seven goals and conceded five, with their latest results including a 2-0 away win against Iraq on 10 June and a 1-2 home loss to Türkiye on 6 June. These performances suggest both teams are competitive, though with some inconsistency in results.

standings and statistics

While this is a friendly match and not part of a league or tournament table, analysing the teams’ recent statistics provides insight. Japan average 2.2 goals per game and concede 1.2 goals per game, indicating a strong attacking presence but a slightly leaky defence. Venezuela tend to score fewer goals, averaging 1.4 per game, with a tighter defence conceding on average one goal per match. This contrast in attacking output and defensive solidity could be a key factor in how the match unfolds.

head-to-head and expectations

The available data does not specify previous meetings between Japan and Venezuela’s Under-21 sides. However, based on their latest form, Japan’s home advantage and superior recent attacking record may give them the edge. Venezuela’s resilience and ability to keep close scorelines could make this a closely contested game. The match could well be balanced, with both teams capable of scoring and posing threats at either end of the pitch.

Recent form