Maya Yoshida started in the Japan side that beat Uruguay 4-3 in a thrilling Kirin Challenge Cup encounter.

The Saints defender returned to the fold after being left out of his national team’s victory over Panama last Friday.

Japan took an early lead against Uruguay when Takumi Minamino got the first of his double in the 10th minute.

The visitors then pulled a goal back through Gastόn Pereiro before Yuya Osaka put the Samurai Blue back into the lead.

Edinson Cavani got Uruguay level again in the 57th minute, only for Ritsu Doan to respond moments later with Japan’s third.

Minamino then thought he had closed the game out when he put the hosts into a seemingly unassailable 4-2 lead with his second goal.

But Uruguay’s Jonathan Rodriguez added his side’s third of the match with 15 minutes remaining, but Japan managed to hold on.