A game that was heading towards a quiet victory, in 25 minutes, turned into another notable defeat for the Brazilian team in this World Cup cycle. The national team led 2-0 in the first half, but was completely dominated by Japan in the final stage and, with the defense failing, won 3-2, this Tuesday (14), at Ajinomoto Stadium, in Tokyo.
It was Japan’s first victory against Brazil. Now there are 14 games between the two teams in retrospect, considering main team games, with 11 victories for Brazil, two draws, and one Japanese victory.
The game’s goals were scored by full-back Paulo Henrique and striker Martinelli, in the first half, with Minamino, Nakamura and Ueda scoring for the Japanese in the second half. Defender Fabrício Bruno was the negative highlight of the match, with failures in Japan’s first goals.
In the second game of Data Fifa in Asia, coach Carlo Ancelotti opted for a series of changes in relation to the team that beat South Korea 5-0 on Friday (10).
Only Bruno Guimarães and Casemiro in the middle, and Vinicius Junior in attack, started against Japan, with eight changes in the other positions.
Ancelotti maintained the 4-2-4 formation, with Luiz Henrique and Vinicius Junior on the wings, Martinelli more centralized, and Lucas Paquetá deep in midfield.
Unaccustomed to playing together, the team had difficulty creating plays in the first minutes, without the Japanese team also managing to pose a threat to debutant Hugo Souza’s goal.
The first move in which Brazil reached the Japanese goal was in the ninth minute, with Martinelli taking advantage of a wrong move by the Japanese defense to hit a cross, with the shot passing to the right of the opponent’s goal.
The game continued to be played in the middle, without much chance of danger on either side. Until, at 23, Bruno Guimarães, once again prominent in the middle, gave another great assist, this time to Vasco full-back Paulo Henrique, who invaded the area and hit the outside of his foot to score his first goal for the national team.
The last time a Vasco player scored in a Brazil shirt was in 2012, when Rômulo scored in the 4-3 defeat to Argentina.
After the goal, the team began to dominate the actions, and, at 32, expanded. At the entrance to the penalty area, Lucas Paquetá made a precise pass that found Martinelli. The Arsenal striker only had the trouble of taking it from the goalkeeper to score the second of the game.
In the complementary stage, Japan came back much better, putting pressure on Brazil when the ball was released from the defensive field, without the Brazilian team being able to demonstrate any power of reaction.
At 6, the Asian team took advantage of defender Fabrício Bruno’s wrong ball at the edge of the penalty area to reduce with Minamino, Monaco’s attacker.
Japan followed better, and ten minutes later, they equalized, with Nakamura completing a cross inside the area. Fabrício Bruno even tried to intercept the shot, but ended up sending it towards Hugo Souza’s goal.
At 25, the Japanese team turned around with Ueda, with a header. The Corinthians goalkeeper still touched the ball, but was unable to prevent the turnover.
It is Ancelotti’s second defeat at the helm of the Brazilian team. In the last round of the Qualifiers, Brazil had been defeated by Bolivia.
“We had a blackout in the second stage, for the entire team. This is the highest level, and if you sleep for 45 minutes, it could cost you a World Cup, a Copa América, a medal, a four-year dream,” said captain Casemiro.
In the current World Cup cycle, Brazil had already experienced significant defeats. With Ramon Menezes, interim after Tite’s departure, the team lost to Morocco and Senegal — these were Brazil’s first defeats to both teams.
With successor Fernando Diniz, the team amended three consecutive defeats for the first time in the Qualifiers. And with Dorival Júnior, he suffered a 4-1 defeat to Argentina, which resulted in the coach’s fall and the arrival of Ancelotti.
In charge since June, the Italian coach has played six games, with three wins, one draw and two defeats.
The Brazilian team’s next commitment will be in November, when they will play friendly matches against the teams of Senegal and Tunisia, in games played in Europe.
Technical sheet: Japan 3 x 2 Brazil (Friendly)
Local: Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo
Arbitrator: Kim Jong Hyeok (KOR)
Goals: Paulo Henrique (13th), Gabriel Martinelli (32nd), Minamino (51st), Nakamura (61st), Ueda (70th)
Yellow cards:
Brazil: Hugo Souza, Paulo Henrique, Fabrício Bruno, Lucas Beraldo and Carlos Augusto; Casemiro, Bruno Guimarães (Joelinton) and Lucas Paquetá; Luiz Henrique, Vinicius Junior (Rodrygo), Gabriel Martinelli (Matheus Cunha)
Technical: Carlo Ancelotti
Japan: Zion Suzuki; Taniguchi, Watanabe e Junnosuke Suzuki; Sano, Nakamura, Doan, Minamino e Kamada; Kubo (Ito), Ueda
Technical: Hajime Moriyasu
