RIFU, Miyagi Pref. -- Shunsuke Nakamura curled in a stunning 25-meter free-kick Sunday to earn Japan a 1-1 draw with Slovakia in the opening match of the Kirin Cup in front of 45,831 fans at the new Miyagi Stadium.
Slovakia, playing without 10 regular players, went ahead six minutes into the game after Japan failed to clear a corner and Peter Dzurik slotted the ball home from 10 meters.
Japan responded quickly when Nakamura curled a pinpoint, David Beckham-style free-kick in off the right post.