Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Brazil and Japan are set to face each other in what promises to be a potential FIFA World Cup classic on Monday, June 29. The five-time champions, who entered the Round of 32 unbeaten, will take on the fluid and innovative Samurai Blue at the Houston Stadium.
Last October, in an international friendly, Japan caused a major upset against Brazil after overturning a two-goal half-time deficit to win 3-2. That game did not carry major consequences, but come up short in this one and the stakes will be infinitely higher.
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Rayan, one of Brazil’s most promising young talents, admitted in the pre-match press conference that he did not know much about the Japanese squad.
“I don’t know who their best player is,” Rayan said when asked by a Japanese reporter. “I’d have to watch the video to be able to tell you. We know that Japan is a very strong team and we have to work hard to give it our all and beat them.”
Brazil will be on alert when they come face to face with the Samurai Blue in the Round of 32 on Monday afternoon in Houston.
Japan may not have global superstars, but their playing style has drawn plaudits at the World Cup. Their constant movement and clever use of space have troubled opposition midfields and helped them punch above their weight, earning draws against Netherlands and Sweden in the group stage.
Ayase Ueda, who plays for Feyenoord in the Netherlands, and Crystal Palace’s Daichi Kamada are tied for the team lead with two goals each in the group stage. It was Ueda who completed the comeback and scored the decisive goal against Brazil in last year’s friendly.
Japan certainly do not possess the history that Brazil can boast, nor the same attacking firepower, but their organisation and discipline could make the difference in this tie.
“Some people will say Japan are underdogs. We will play with that in mind. We will respect the opponents, but like last year (in the friendly win), we weren’t given a chance to win. This possibility to win — we can change history,” Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu said ahead of the game.
BRAZIL: WILL NEYMAR PLAY?
After opening with a draw against Morocco, Brazil responded with 3-0 wins over Haiti and Scotland to top Group C. Vinicius Junior (four) and Matheus Cunha (three) have combined to score all of Brazil’s goals so far, with Bruno Guimaraes registering three assists.
They have coped well in the absence of Neymar, who was unavailable at the start of the tournament while recovering from a calf injury suffered on May 17 while playing for his club. Neymar made his first appearance of the World Cup on Wednesday, coming on for the final 15 minutes against Scotland.
For what it’s worth, Neymar scored his first goal for Brazil against Japan in the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2013 and netted four goals in a friendly between the sides the following year.
Brazil fans will hope coach Carlo Ancelotti has the team on track for a record-extending sixth World Cup title and their first since 2002.
“We’re not perfect. We can improve. For example, our pace on the ball. We can be quicker,” Ancelotti had said after the Scotland match.
“But I’m pleased because the team has improved a lot since the first match. Now it’s a knockout competition. We need to show real grit.”
BRAZIL vs JAPAN: MATCH TIMING
The Brazil vs Japan match will be played at 10:30 pm IST at the Houston Stadium.
BRAZIL vs JAPAN: WHERE TO WATCH?
The Brazil vs Japan match will be broadcast on Unite8 on TV. The livestream can be watched on the Zee5 website.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
