Paulo Henrique celebrates goal on first start for Brazil, but rues result | OneFootball

Paulo Henrique was a pleasant surprise in the Brazilian National Team’s loss to Japan, 3-2, after a comeback, this Tuesday, at Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo.

The right back opened the scoring for Brazil with a beautiful outside-of-the-foot finish in his very first game as a starter for the Seleção.

“An incredible moment; obviously nothing goes through my mind and at the same time countless things do, everything I’ve been through—very emotional,” Paulo Henrique told SporTV.

The day was not perfect for Paulo Henrique because Brazil saw the 2-0 lead built in the first half dissolve after the break, when Carlo Ancelotti’s team suffered Japan’s improbable comeback.

“I’d easily trade the goal for the team’s win today, but God knows everything. Happy for the goal, but upset with the result,” the fullback added.

Paulo Henrique was called up to the Brazilian National Team after Wesley, from Roma, was cut due to injury. Far from being one of Ancelotti’s first choices, the Vasco player is now firmly on the coaching staff’s radar after his good performance against the Japanese.

“I’m doing my job, I had the chance to be here, I believe I made the most of it, I gave my best. Now it’s up to the Mister. I leave it in his hands; I have competitors who need no introduction, players who were called up and ended up being cut due to injury. We’ll keep up this healthy competition—the National Team will be the one to benefit,” he said.

Having played the full 90 minutes against Japan and due to the long trip back to Brazil, Paulo Henrique will not be available for Vasco’s match against Fortaleza. The expectation is that he will return to action in next Monday’s derby against Fluminense at 7:30 p.m. (Brasília time).

“I’ll go back there with the same mindset I left with. Vasco is the club I represent, the club that opened its doors to me. Wearing the National Team jersey is a consequence of what I do at Vasco. I was happy during this FIFA window; I’ll go back to give my all. I won’t be in the match against Fortaleza, but I’ll support my teammates, and hopefully on Monday I can play the derby,” he concluded.

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