Japan Look For Positives After Goalless Draw At Home To Venezuela

The match in Oita ended goalless with Japan struggling to create chances against the well-organized South Americans but after a string of easy home wins, Okada found a few things to be positive about.

"It's disappointing we didn't win, but we have to thank Venezuela for giving us such a tough test," Okada said, according to the Daily Yomiuri.

There are more tests to come as Japan host the East Asian championships starting this weekend with matches against China, South Korea and Hong Kong.

"We managed to find our rhythm in the second half, which gives us a lot of momentum going into the East Asian Championship."

Recalled midfielder Mitsuo Ogasawara did enough to warrant further appearances.

"I thought Mitsuo really showed his qualities tonight," Okada said.

"The first half was a bit difficult for him because we had too many players clogging up the middle. We gave him more space in the second half with the substitution, and he was the player we all know him to be."

"This is all for the World Cup," Okada said. "We know who were playing and what we have to do to have a chance against them, so we have to make each and every game count from now on."

Japan face Netherlands, Cameroon and Denmark in Group E of the 2010 World Cup.