Japan could only muster a first-half goal by centurion Yasuhito Endo as the Asian champions settled for a 1-1 draw in a World Cup qualifying tune-up with Venezuela at Sapporo Dome on Wednesday.
Alberto Zaccheroni's side, on top of Group B with seven points from three matches in the final qualifiers, host former Japan coach Zico's Iraq on Sept. 11 after facing the United Arab Emirates on Sept. 6 in another friendly in Niigata.
"They played us well, wouldn't let us play our game," Keisuke Honda said. "We've got to train harder so we can win the next time out."