Can Japan win their first historic knockout fight? Brazil’s five-time champions face a tough challenge as the World Cup knockouts continue in Houston.
On paper, this looks like an easy game against Brazil, but the country that was the world’s best football nation is far from the top and Japan, they have been impressive for quite a while now. – There is a lot of exciting things happening in Japanese football, much driven by the J League clubs Vissel Kobe and Kashima Antlers who both have serious money behind their ventures.
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Japan impressed with second place in Group F behind the Netherlands, while Brazil progressed as winners of Group C. Carlo Ancelotti’s team has looked fluid in attack, with Vinícius Júnior as the big star. The Real Madrid superstar has already scored four goals in the tournament and is the undisputed spearhead of an attacking line that also includes the dangerous Raphinha and Matheus Cunha.
“I had no doubt about how he would come into this World Cup,” Ancelotti said of the 25-year-old.
“For him, it is an honor to play for the national team. He is playing well and even scored a header against Scotland – which is very rare for him. I knew all about what Vini can do. He is one of the best players in the world.
Japan’s road to the last eight has been equally impressive. In a dramatic friendly late last year, Japan shocked Brazil 3-2 – after turning around a 2-0 deficit at half-time with goals from Takumi Minamino, Keito Nakamura and Ayase Ueda in the second half.
History speaks for Brazil, but don’t write Japan off – even if they have yet to win a knockout match at the World Cup.
Team news for Brazil vs Japan
As always, all eyes will be on Neymar. The veteran player came on against Scotland after injury – his first Brazil game in almost 1000 days. He is expected to sit on the bench again, despite Barcelona’s Raphinha being a doubt with a hamstring injury.
Japan has doubts about defenders Ko Itakura and Takefusa Kubo.
Predicted line-ups
Brazil (4-2-3-1): Alisson – Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Santos – Guimarães, Casemiro – Rayan, Paquetá, Vinícius Júnior – Cunha
Japan (4-2-3-1): Suzuki – Ito, Tomiyasu, Itakura – Dōan, Sanō, Tanaka, Nakamura – Kamada, Maeda – Ueda
Brazil vs. Japan key figures
- Japan have won only once in their 14 matches against Brazil in all competitions (two draws, eleven losses). However, this victory came in their last fixture – a friendly in Tokyo last October (3-2).
- Brazil have been knocked out in four of their last six World Cup knockout matches – more than in their previous 17 combined (three). They have not been knocked out in the last eight since 1990, when they lost 1-0 to Argentina.
- This is Japan’s fifth knockout match at the World Cup – and they have lost all four previous ones. Three of their four opponents finished third in the tournament (Turkey in 2002, Belgium in 2018, Croatia in 2022).
Prediction: Brazil 2-1 Japan – Probably the hardest to predict so far in the championship
Japan have impressed with patient and precise football, but Brazil’s historical weight and individual class are likely to push them over the line. –
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