Japan’s defeat to Brazil in stoppage time of the World Cup, in a match where the Japanese suffocated the five-time champions for long periods, showed that the national team is closing the gap to the traditional football powers, said Japan coach, Hajime Moriyasu, this Monday (29).
Brazil survived a scare in the 32-team phase of the World Cup by turning around and beating Japan 2-1, after Gabriel Martinelli put a shot into the corner of the goal in stoppage time.
The result dashed the hopes of a team considered an underdog that could go far in the tournament by defeating traditional football powers, such as Brazil.
“The distance between us is closing now,” Moriyasu told reporters. “Of course, Brazil is a top-tier team and we are definitely approaching that level.”
“As a result, we were devastated. Of course, there is this kind of difference in our level and we need to raise our game. Competing at the top is a goal we all have.”
At least in the first half, Japan went toe-to-toe with Brazil, with defenders flying across the field, intercepting passes and closing down spaces as they took a surprising 1-0 lead into the break.
Japan remains without victory in World Cup knockout stages
The result denied Japan their first World Cup knockout victory, but Moriyasu said the fact that several players came on to replace injured teammates provided a wider range of experience and boded well for the future.
“This is one of the strengths of the Japanese team,” said Moriyasu. “Having more players gain this experience will contribute to the growth of football in Japan.”
Improvements in different areas, including attacking transition and dealing with teams like Brazil who are able to maintain possession for long periods, are things Japan need to work on, Moriyasu said.
He also praised his team for their effort throughout the match against Brazil and said that his players showed how dangerous they can be on counterattacks against top teams.
“What I told the players is to play as if we were back from 0-0,” Moriyasu said. “Defense will lead to offense and that’s something I’ve conveyed to the players.”
