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Suarez back in business, Japan edge Jamaica

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AFP Paris
Luis Suarez returned for Uruguay for the first time since his infamous World Cup biting shame and helped the South Americans to a 1-1 friendly draw against Saudi Arabia.

The 27-year-old Barcelona star's shot from an angle on 47 minutes in Jeddah came back off the far post before hitting Hassan Muath Fallatah for an own goal.

Suarez was replaced with 20 minutes to go but his hopes of a winning international return were ruined by Naif Hazazi's last-minute equaliser for the former Asian champions.

Although still serving a nine-match competitive international ban for sinking his teeth into Italy's Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup, Suarez is allowed to play in friendlies.
 

Suarez, whose club ban ends in two weeks when Barcelona face bitter rivals Real Madrid, could have scored just before coming off when he pounced on a dreadful back pass.

But with only goalkeeper Waleed Abdullah to beat, he tried to dribble past the shot-stopper and was tackled.

"Happy to wear this shirt again, gives me so much joy. Love the shirt. Uruguay!!," tweeted Suarez after the match.

Asian champions Japan gave Javier Aguirre his first win with a laboured 1-0 victory over Jamaica while Australia struggled to a 0-0 draw in sweltering Abu Dhabi.

Japan, who like Australia are building towards the Asian Cup in January, squandered several chances against Jamaica in Niigata but an own goal from Nyron Nosworthy in the 16th minute proved decisive.

Japan were beaten 2-0 by Uruguay and were held 2-2 by Venezuela last month in their first two games under Mexican coach Aguirre, who took charge following the side's World Cup flop in Brazil.

"I feel calm, relaxed as always. We created five or six more chances to score, which was pleasing," said Aguirre.

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First Published: Oct 11 2014 | 10:15 AM IST

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