Opponent decided! Brazil face Japan in the World Cup second round | OneFootball

Brazil and Japan will meet next Monday (29) in the first knockout round of the World Cup

The path is set! Brazil will face Japan in the second round of the World Cup. This Thursday (25), the Asian team drew 1-1 with Sweden and secured second place in Group F of the tournament. The Japanese were unable to overtake the Netherlands in the standings, as the Europeans beat Tunisia 3-1.

HOW DID THE WORLD CUP GROUP F STANDINGS END UP?

With that, the matchup is confirmed! Brazil vs. Japan will take place next Monday (29), starting at 2 p.m. (Brasília time), in Houston, Texas, in the United States. The five-time world champion advanced with seven points, finishing top of Group C.

HOW DID THE FINAL ROUND OF GROUP F GO?

The two matches were played simultaneously. In Kansas, in the United States, the Netherlands quickly went 2-0 up, with goals from Skhiri (own goal) and Brian Brobbey, just seven minutes into the match. Then Japan and Sweden ‘took their foot off the gas,’ seeming as if both teams were trying to avoid Brazil.

At the start of the second half, a new factor came into play. Tunisia pulled one back through Mastouri, and Japan’s fans celebrated. In other words, the Asians needed two goals to avoid Brazil. That way, the Japanese opened the scoring through Daizen Maeda after a beautiful passing move.

However, when it seemed Japan was on its way to finishing first in the group, two ‘heavy blows’ happened. The Netherlands increased the margin against Tunisia, scoring a third through Jan Paul van Hecke and, at practically the same moment, Sweden equalized with a superb goal from Anthony Elanga.

So Sweden eased off again. Because if they had come from behind to win, they would have ended up in Brazil’s path. The Europeans were satisfied with the draw, as it sealed qualification as one of the best third-placed teams. Japan, meanwhile, with no strength left, accepted the clash with Brazil.

WHAT DOES ZICO THINK ABOUT JAPAN?

A legend of Japanese football and former coach of the national team, Zico was full of praise for the ‘Samurai,’ Brazil’s next opponents. The Rooster from Quintino even faced the five-time world champions as a coach at the 2006 World Cup.

During an appearance on ESPN, Zico drew attention to the performance of forward Keito Nakamura, regarded as one of the World Cup’s standout players. He also highlighted the maturity the Japanese national team has gained in recent years and noted that most of the players compete in Europe’s top leagues, a factor that, in his view, has contributed to the team’s growth. Zico also praised striker Ayase Ueda, developed by Kashima Antlers (JPN), a club the Brazilian once played for.

WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF BRAZIL VS. JAPAN IN WORLD CUPS?

Brazil vs. Japan has happened only once in World Cups. In the third round of the 2006 group stage, the team then coached by Zico was thrashed 4-1. Ronaldo (twice), Juninho Pernambucano, and Gilberto scored the goals.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.