Japan limbered up for next week's World Cup qualifier against Iraq with a 1-1 draw with Syria in a friendly on Wednesday night.
Japan, which currently tops its qualifying group ahead of Saudi Arabia on goal difference and is looking to take a big step toward a place at a sixth straight World Cup against the Iraqis in Tehran on June 13, fell behind at Ajinomoto Stadium when Syria's Mardek Mardkian scored with a header in the 48th minute.
But the home side struck back 10 minutes later through midfielder Yasuyuki Konno — who only returned to action with 30 minutes for club side Gamba Osaka on Sunday after breaking his toe in March — before laying siege to the Syrian goal for the rest of the match.