HOUSTON –
Japan were locked in a tense 1-1 battle with five-time champions Brazil late in their World Cup Round of 32 match in Houston, keeping alive hopes of a historic upset against one of football’s traditional powers.
Kaishu Sano stunned Brazil in the 29th minute, driving Japan into the lead with a superb strike from outside the box after breaking through the Brazilian defense. The goal briefly put Hajime Moriyasu’s side on course for what would be one of the biggest results in Japan’s World Cup history.
Brazil, who had dominated possession for long spells, equalized in the 55th minute when Casemiro headed in from Gabriel’s chipped pass, bringing the South American side level after Japan had frustrated them through a disciplined first-half defensive performance.
The match remained finely balanced entering the closing stages, with Japan defending deep but still threatening on the break. Ayase Ueda forced a save late in the second half as Japan pushed forward, while goalkeeper Zion Suzuki made important interventions to keep Brazil from completing the turnaround.
Japan had entered the knockout stage after finishing second in Group F, following draws with the Netherlands and Sweden and a win over Tunisia. Brazil advanced as winners of Group C with seven points after wins over Haiti and Scotland and a draw with Morocco.
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti kept the same starting lineup that beat Scotland 3-0 in the final group match, while Japan made four changes and switched to a five-man defense. Japan started Suzuki in goal, with Hiroki Ito, Shogo Taniguchi and Takehiro Tomiyasu anchoring the back line, and Sano, Daichi Kamada, Ritsu Doan, Junya Ito, Keito Nakamura, Daizen Maeda and Ueda used across midfield and attack.
The winner will advance to face either Ivory Coast or Norway in the Round of 16 on July 5. For Japan, even taking Brazil deep into a knockout match would mark another step in the country’s effort to break through at the highest level, but a late winner would transform the night into one of the defining moments in Samurai Blue history.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: newsonjapan.com
