Japan has already scared giants in the World Cup; Brazil tries to avoid zebra script
Brazil reaches the round of 16 phase of the World Cup as favorites against Japan, but the Asian team has already shown, in different editions of the tournament, that it usually grows against traditional opponents.
The decisive duel takes place on Monday (29), at 2pm (Brasília time), in Houston, United States.
The challenge for Ancelotti's team will be to prevent the Japanese from adding another chapter to the list of recent World Cup upsets.
In recent World Cups, Japan has built a reputation as a disciplined and tactically organized team, capable of competing on equal terms against great powers.
In 2018, they were just minutes away from eliminating Belgium in the round of 16, after taking a 2-0 lead, before conceding a 3-2 comeback in stoppage time.
Four years later, in Qatar, he starred in one of the most surprising campaigns of the group stage. They defeated Germany 2-1 in their debut, beat Spain by the same score and finished at the top of Group E, leaving the two world champions behind - Spain and Germany.
The elimination came only on penalties, against Croatia, in the round of 16. The Asian team was overcome after losing 3-1.
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The ability to surprise favorites was also evident in the current edition. Japan advanced to the knockout stages after finishing second in Group F, undefeated, with a consistent campaign: they drew 2-2 with the Netherlands, beat Tunisia 4-0 and closed the first phase with a 1-1 draw against Sweden.
The Asian team has gone an impressive eight years without losing to European teams, including official and friendly games. During this period, he accumulated eight wins and three draws in 11 matches.
The Brazilian team knows that the opponent's recent history serves as a warning: in World Cups, Japan has proven more than once that it is capable of transforming favoritism into pressure and challenging teams accustomed to competing for the title. Hajime Moriyasu's team has been undefeated for eight games.
Brazil arrives motivated by the leadership of Group C and without defeats in the tournament. The team debuted with a 0-0 draw against Morocco, a 3-0 victory against Haiti and defeated Scotland by the same score, last Wednesday (24).
Now, the team led by Marquinhos is trying to prevent this tradition of surprising giants from gaining a new chapter and seeks to confirm their favoritism to stay alive in the fight for the sixth championship.
Brazil and Japan have already faced each other 14 times. The team has 11 wins, two draws and just one defeat.
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Source: CNN