Brazil deserved to win the match against Japan in the 32-team phase of the World Cup and did not lose patience even when the game was complicated, said the coach of the Brazilian team, Carlo Ancelotti, after qualifying for the round of 16, this Monday (29).
Brazil defeated the Japanese team 2-1. The team went after the score after Kaishu Sano hit a beautiful shot from outside the area, in the corner of goalkeeper Alisson.
In the second half, Casemiro equalized with a header after a cross, and Gabriel Martinelli, who came on for Matheus Cunha, scored the turning goal.
“The team didn’t lose patience. Brazil was doing well in the first half and, in the second half, we forced the crosses a little more […] Japan is not an easy team, it is well organized, very intense. I feel like we deserve to win,” said the Italian.
Asked about the left winger’s entry and the importance of his goal for the result, Ancelotti said that Brazil has a lot of resources and quality on the bench. “It’s good that the players are putting in good individual performances and working together.”
He also said that he had the plan to use Neymar in the game, but that he opted to hold off on the substitution after Brazil tied. Casemiro scored 11 minutes into the second half.
“I spoke to him. If we didn’t draw, he would come on around 15 or 20 minutes into the second half, but as we drew, I didn’t want to change the team.”
Midfielder Bruno Guimarães also highlighted the team’s attitude of seeking the result until the end of the match. The second goal came 50 minutes into the second half.
“It’s a game with the spirit of our country: never giving up, fighting until the end. It was a very difficult game, in which Japan was very faithful to their ideas of defending and counterattacking. They didn’t give any space,” he said.
The midfielder also commented on the strategy adopted in the final stage. “We knew that, after the first half, we had to put the ball in the area, cross more. We were superior, we scored Casemiro’s goal like that and we had other chances.”
Bruno Guimarães also spoke about the play for the second goal. “I got the ball there and, when I got ready to shoot, I realized that everyone closed the space. I managed to turn my foot and find a beautiful pass for Martinelli, who was very happy with the finish. It’s cool to see that whoever came from the bench decided.”
Brazil awaits the winner of the clash between Ivory Coast and Norway this Tuesday (30), at 2 pm.
