(Photo credit score: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)
In a pleasant in Tokyo final October, Brazil surrendered a two-goal halftime lead and watched Japan pull forward for an eventual 3-2 victory.
Rayan, a 19-year-old ahead, was not a part of Brazil’s workforce that day, so maybe he could be forgiven for admitting he would not know a lot in regards to the Japanese squad.
‘I do not know who their greatest participant is,’ Rayan mentioned when a Japanese reporter requested him. ‘I’d have to observe the video to have the ability to inform you. We know that Japan is a really sturdy workforce and we’ve got to work onerous to offer it our all and beat them.’
The Selecao will probably be on alert once they come head to head with the Samurai Blue within the spherical of 32 on Monday afternoon in Houston.
Options Rayan may have thought-about in his reply included Takefusa Kubo, a ahead nicknamed ‘the Japanese Messi,’ or maybe Ayase Ueda, a Feyenoord striker with 18 objectives for his nationwide workforce. But Kubo hasn’t performed since struggling a meniscus tear in Japan’s opener towards the Netherlands, and Sunday he was dominated out for the Brazil conflict.
Ueda and Daichi Kamada are tied for the workforce lead with two objectives apiece within the group stage — and Ueda had the go-ahead aim in that 3-2 upset again in October.
Japan are however the clear underdogs going into this match. They completed second to Netherlands in Group F with a win over overmatched Tunisia and two attracts. They haven’t got the historical past that Brazil can boast, however Japan have certified for the knockouts at three straight World Cups and 4 of the previous 5, although by no means advancing previous the spherical of 16.
‘Brazil are all the time a number one workforce. They have an excellent probability of successful,’ coach Hajime Moriyasu mentioned Sunday. ‘Some individuals will say Japan are underdogs. We will play with that in thoughts. We will respect the opponents, however like final 12 months (within the pleasant win) we weren’t given an opportunity to win. This chance to win — we will change historical past.’
After opening with a draw towards Morocco, Brazil rang up 3-0 wins over Haiti and Scotland to win Group C. Vinicius Junior (4) and Matheus Cunha (three) have mixed to attain all of Brazil’s objectives up to now, with Bruno Guimaraes incomes assists on three.
They’ve made up for the absence of Neymar, who was not prepared on the onset of the event as he rehabbed a calf harm suffered May 17 whereas enjoying for his membership. Neymar made his first exhibiting of the event Wednesday by subbing on for the final quarter-hour towards Scotland.
For what it is price, Neymar scored his first aim for the Selecao towards Japan in a FIFA Confederations Cup match in 2013, and in a pleasant the next 12 months the ex-wunderkind poured in 4 objectives.
The Brazil devoted hope coach Carlo Ancelotti has the workforce on track for its file sixth World Cup win and first since 2002.
‘We’re not excellent. We can enhance. For instance, our tempo on the ball. We could be faster,’ Ancelotti mentioned after the Scotland match. ‘But I’m happy as a result of the workforce has improved lots because the first match. Now it is a knockout competitors. We want to indicate actual grit.’
–Field Level Media