Japan to host Venezuela in August friendly at the Sapporo Dome

In their first meeting since February 2010, the two countries will use the friendly as a mid-summer tune-up before their World Cup qualifiers in September



The Japan Football Association (JFA) announced on Monday night that the Sapporo Dome would be the stage for an August 15 friendly between Japan and Venezuela.The two sides last faced each other in February 2010 at Oita Stadium, battling to a scoreless draw. Since that match, Japan has enjoyed a resurgence after the World Cup under coach Alberto Zaccheroni, while Venezuela placed fourth in last year's Copa America.

The South American nation are in provisional third place in the Conmebol standings with seven points from four matches, while Japan begins the final leg of their World Cup qualifying campaign in August with matches against Oman, Jordan and Australia.The hosts may be without their younger players, depending on the country's performance at the 2012 London Olympics.Following the friendly, Venezuela will travel to Peru and Paraguay in early September, while Japan host Iraq at Saitama Stadium before traveling to face France in an October friendly. - http://www.goal.com/

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