by Craig Laycock
Original article:
Brazil 2 - 1 Japan
Casemiro (56’), Martinelli (90+5’) | Sano (29’)
Brazil came from behind to inflict heartbreak on a Japan side that worked exceptionally hard, and produced moments of quality, but ultimately fell short of the South American side.
Japan put on a first half tactical masterclass to cause Brazil real problems. By defending in a highly-organised five, with banks of three and two ahead, and a very aggressive mid-press, Japan looked extremely impressive in the opening stages.
When they won the ball back, they broke with pace, with the breakthrough coming just after the first hydration break.
Danilo made a poor pass, which was intercepted by Kaishu Sano, who burst forwards in a central area, beat Casemiro and then let loose a low, curling shot that beat Alisson Becker into the bottom corner.
As we entered the half time break, Ancelotti would no doubt be having words with his players in the hope of inspiring change, and whatever he said seemed to work, with Brazil looking transformed in the second half.
After a spell of pressure, Casemiro headed a ball from close range, which cannoned off Takehiro Tomiyasu on the Japanese goal line, before being somehow repelled by Zion Suzuki without him knowing much about it.
And Casemiro tried a similar trick a few minutes later, this time pulling off a brilliantly-timed header from close range at the far post which rippled the back of the net. He shouldn’t have had the space once, let alone twice, but the header was exceptional.
Vinicius Jr. then almost scored an incredible goal, putting it through the legs of one defender, beating another in the box and then slipping it past the keeper, only for it to be tipped onto the post by the Japanese keeper Suzuki. Absolutely exceptional movement and footwork, and on any other day Brazil would have scored.
As the second hydration break kicked in, the sides were tensely locked at 1-1. With both head coaches loading their charges with instructions, they came out again looking to find the winner.
Brazil seemed the more likely of the two sides to break the draw, realising that their aerial ability was getting the better of the Japanese defence. A header from Rayan, almost a carbon copy of the Casemiro goal and the number 5’s earlier cleared attempt, hit a Japan defender and went wide.
And in the 95th minute of the game, with Japan tiring, Brazil stole the win with effectively the final kick of the game. Gabriel Martinelli hammering a shot to the far corner of the goal, with even the biggest stretch from keeper Suzuki unable to keep it out.
Absolute heartbreak for Japan and reward for Brazil in this battle of two never-say-die teams.
6 min read
Brazil 2 - 1 Japan
Casemiro (56’), Martinelli (90+5’) | Sano (29’)
Brazil came from behind to inflict heartbreak on a Japan side that worked exceptionally hard, and produced moments of quality, but ultimately fell short of the South American side.
Japan put on a first half tactical masterclass to cause Brazil real problems. By defending in a highly-organised five, with banks of three and two ahead, and a very aggressive mid-press, Japan looked extremely impressive in the opening stages.
When they won the ball back, they broke with pace, with the breakthrough coming just after the first hydration break.
Danilo made a poor pass, which was intercepted by Kaishu Sano, who burst forwards in a central area, beat Casemiro and then let loose a low, curling shot that beat Alisson Becker into the bottom corner.
As we entered the half time break, Ancelotti would no doubt be having words with his players in the hope of inspiring change, and whatever he said seemed to work, with Brazil looking transformed in the second half.
After a spell of pressure, Casemiro headed a ball from close range, which cannoned off Takehiro Tomiyasu on the Japanese goal line, before being somehow repelled by Zion Suzuki without him knowing much about it.
And Casemiro tried a similar trick a few minutes later, this time pulling off a brilliantly-timed header from close range at the far post which rippled the back of the net. He shouldn’t have had the space once, let alone twice, but the header was exceptional.
Vinicius Jr. then almost scored an incredible goal, putting it through the legs of one defender, beating another in the box and then slipping it past the keeper, only for it to be tipped onto the post by the Japanese keeper Suzuki. Absolutely exceptional movement and footwork, and on any other day Brazil would have scored.
As the second hydration break kicked in, the sides were tensely locked at 1-1. With both head coaches loading their charges with instructions, they came out again looking to find the winner.
Brazil seemed the more likely of the two sides to break the draw, realising that their aerial ability was getting the better of the Japanese defence. A header from Rayan, almost a carbon copy of the Casemiro goal and the number 5’s earlier cleared attempt, hit a Japan defender and went wide.
And in the 95th minute of the game, with Japan tiring, Brazil stole the win with effectively the final kick of the game. Gabriel Martinelli hammering a shot to the far corner of the goal, with even the biggest stretch from keeper Suzuki unable to keep it out.
Absolute heartbreak for Japan and reward for Brazil in this battle of two never-say-die teams.
Last 32: Impressive Japan bested by Brazil
Heartbreak for Japan.
Original article:
Brazil 2 - 1 Japan
Casemiro (56’), Martinelli (90+5’) | Sano (29’)
Brazil came from behind to inflict heartbreak on a Japan side that worked exceptionally hard, and produced moments of quality, but ultimately fell short of the South American side.
Japan put on a first half tactical masterclass to cause Brazil real problems. By defending in a highly-organised five, with banks of three and two ahead, and a very aggressive mid-press, Japan looked extremely impressive in the opening stages.
When they won the ball back, they broke with pace, with the breakthrough coming just after the first hydration break.
Danilo made a poor pass, which was intercepted by Kaishu Sano, who burst forwards in a central area, beat Casemiro and then let loose a low, curling shot that beat Alisson Becker into the bottom corner.
As we entered the half time break, Ancelotti would no doubt be having words with his players in the hope of inspiring change, and whatever he said seemed to work, with Brazil looking transformed in the second half.
After a spell of pressure, Casemiro headed a ball from close range, which cannoned off Takehiro Tomiyasu on the Japanese goal line, before being somehow repelled by Zion Suzuki without him knowing much about it.
And Casemiro tried a similar trick a few minutes later, this time pulling off a brilliantly-timed header from close range at the far post which rippled the back of the net. He shouldn’t have had the space once, let alone twice, but the header was exceptional.
Vinicius Jr. then almost scored an incredible goal, putting it through the legs of one defender, beating another in the box and then slipping it past the keeper, only for it to be tipped onto the post by the Japanese keeper Suzuki. Absolutely exceptional movement and footwork, and on any other day Brazil would have scored.
As the second hydration break kicked in, the sides were tensely locked at 1-1. With both head coaches loading their charges with instructions, they came out again looking to find the winner.
Brazil seemed the more likely of the two sides to break the draw, realising that their aerial ability was getting the better of the Japanese defence. A header from Rayan, almost a carbon copy of the Casemiro goal and the number 5’s earlier cleared attempt, hit a Japan defender and went wide.
And in the 95th minute of the game, with Japan tiring, Brazil stole the win with effectively the final kick of the game. Gabriel Martinelli hammering a shot to the far corner of the goal, with even the biggest stretch from keeper Suzuki unable to keep it out.
Absolute heartbreak for Japan and reward for Brazil in this battle of two never-say-die teams.
6 min read
Last 32: Impressive Japan bested by Brazil
Heartbreak for Japan.
Brazil 2 - 1 Japan
Casemiro (56’), Martinelli (90+5’) | Sano (29’)
Brazil came from behind to inflict heartbreak on a Japan side that worked exceptionally hard, and produced moments of quality, but ultimately fell short of the South American side.
Japan put on a first half tactical masterclass to cause Brazil real problems. By defending in a highly-organised five, with banks of three and two ahead, and a very aggressive mid-press, Japan looked extremely impressive in the opening stages.
When they won the ball back, they broke with pace, with the breakthrough coming just after the first hydration break.
Danilo made a poor pass, which was intercepted by Kaishu Sano, who burst forwards in a central area, beat Casemiro and then let loose a low, curling shot that beat Alisson Becker into the bottom corner.
As we entered the half time break, Ancelotti would no doubt be having words with his players in the hope of inspiring change, and whatever he said seemed to work, with Brazil looking transformed in the second half.
After a spell of pressure, Casemiro headed a ball from close range, which cannoned off Takehiro Tomiyasu on the Japanese goal line, before being somehow repelled by Zion Suzuki without him knowing much about it.
And Casemiro tried a similar trick a few minutes later, this time pulling off a brilliantly-timed header from close range at the far post which rippled the back of the net. He shouldn’t have had the space once, let alone twice, but the header was exceptional.
Vinicius Jr. then almost scored an incredible goal, putting it through the legs of one defender, beating another in the box and then slipping it past the keeper, only for it to be tipped onto the post by the Japanese keeper Suzuki. Absolutely exceptional movement and footwork, and on any other day Brazil would have scored.
As the second hydration break kicked in, the sides were tensely locked at 1-1. With both head coaches loading their charges with instructions, they came out again looking to find the winner.
Brazil seemed the more likely of the two sides to break the draw, realising that their aerial ability was getting the better of the Japanese defence. A header from Rayan, almost a carbon copy of the Casemiro goal and the number 5’s earlier cleared attempt, hit a Japan defender and went wide.
And in the 95th minute of the game, with Japan tiring, Brazil stole the win with effectively the final kick of the game. Gabriel Martinelli hammering a shot to the far corner of the goal, with even the biggest stretch from keeper Suzuki unable to keep it out.
Absolute heartbreak for Japan and reward for Brazil in this battle of two never-say-die teams.
6 min read