In Japan’s international-window meeting with Uruguay, Take Kubo brought a San Sebastián touch to a late surge that turned a balanced friendly into a 3-1 home victory. The Real Sociedad forward began among Hajime Moriyasu’s substitutes, but his arrival gave Japan greater invention between the lines as the match opened up.
Japan and the Uruguay side coached by Forlan were level at 1-1 when Kubo replaced Ritsu Doan in the 64th minute. Rather than operating as the wide forward familiar to supporters at Real Sociedad, he was used more centrally, linking play around the final third and looking for the decisive pass.
Moriyasu introduced further attacking options at the same stage, raising the tempo against a Uruguay team that had remained organised but increasingly struggled to repel the hosts. Kubo settled quickly into the altered role and helped Japan sustain their pressure deep into the final phase.
His clearest contribution came with a through ball sent into Ayase Ueda’s run. Ueda was forced slightly wide as he struck the chance, and his effort found the side netting, but the move captured the sharper attacking rhythm Japan had found after Kubo’s introduction.
Late reward for Japan
Japan continued to push Uruguay back and were rewarded twice in added time, converting their territorial dominance into two late goals. The result was a 3-1 win, with Kubo’s energetic cameo serving as an important spark in a contest that had appeared destined to remain close.
For the Real Sociedad attacker, the afternoon offered another reminder of his adaptability away from club football: not simply a player stationed on the flank, but one capable of connecting Japan’s attacks from more central territory when the match demands it.
