PREVIEW: Can Japan shock a Brazil side boosted by Neymar’s return? | OneFootball

Ollie Whitmore, Chief football news reporter

Brazil gear up to face Japan in the round of 32 with a high chance of the clash at the Houston Stadium providing one of the best watches of the World Cup so far.

Seleção went unbeaten in the group stages following up their draw against Morocco with victories over Haiti and Scotland, while Samurai Blue held the Netherlands and Sweden to entertaining draws and swept Tunisia aside.

Surprising Carlo Ancelotti’s side would give Japan the opportunity to go further than they ever have before and reach the quarter-finals should they emerge as winners in the round of 16. Brazil, however, are seeking a sixth World Cup triumph.

Just one meeting between the pair has seen less than three goals – when Brazil beat Hajime Moriyasu’s side 1-0 in a friendly held in 2022 – and with the expansive style used by both managers, that is precisely what viewers can expect.

Brazil failed to hit the ground running when they faced the African Cup of Nations winners in their opening fixture and were sloppy both with their passing and shape transitioning from attacking to defensive phases.

Surviving that encounter to take home a point, they soon recovered their form in front of goal. Led by talismanic wide man Vinícius Júnior’s four goals so far, they cruised to victories in their next two matches to top Group C.

Manchester United forward Matheus Cunha has also aided Brazil’s positive run through the group stage, scoring against Haiti and Scotland and will be keen to keep up his form in front of goal in the knockouts.

Brazil look set to remain without Raphinha, who suffered a suspected hamstring injury against Haiti and is not expected to return until the round of 16 at the earliest if his country can overcome Samurai Blue.

“I will do everything within my power to recover and return as soon as possible,” Raphinha wrote on Instagram.

”I want to be alongside my team-mates, fight for our goals, and keep giving everything I have to honour this shirt and bring joy to the Brazilian fans. I’m staying strong.”

But Neymar made his long-awaited return after 368 days in the same match, bringing the 34-year-old Santos winger to tears upon the full-time whistle, and Bournemouth’s teenage talent Rayan is another option for Ancelotti out wide.

Neymar has proven very hard to keep quiet for Japan, scoring nine goals in five matches against them to leave Ancelotti an important decision to make – will or won’t he start in the round of 32?

Japan’s manager Moriyasu has endeared himself to fans across nations, often spotted writing his observations of the first half down in his notebook and maintaining a focused expression from the touchline throughout the contest.

The 57-year-old orchestrated one of the best team goals of the World Cup against Sweden, involving intricate passes between Ritsu Doan and Ayase Ueda before a defence-splitting ball gave Daizen Maeda the chance to slot it home.

It would take some strike from Anthony Elanga to level the score, highlighting just how tricky it is to break Japan down and also respond to their fluid movement off the ball.

Real Sociedad winger Takefusa Kubo will miss the clash with Brazil after suffering a knee injury against the Dutch that ruled him out of the remaining two group games.

Kubo did not travel with the team for either the Tunisia or Sweden matches and continued to train independently on Sunday, and after feeling discomfort during agility drills on Sunday Moriyasu confirmed he will not play Brazil.

“He’s still only doing individual running [and] training, so he’s not going to play in the match against Brazil,” Japan’s manager told ESPN. “We really wish for him to recover swiftly, and he wishes it too.”

With Kubo out and captain Ko Itakura also a doubt having been withdrawn in the 39th minute against Sweden, Moriyasu remains confident Japan can replicate their surprise 3-2 victory as recently as nine months ago.

“Brazil are always a leading team. They have a very good chance of winning. Some people will say Japan are underdogs. We will play with that in mind.

“We will respect the opponents but, like last year we weren’t given a chance to win. This possibility to win… we can change history. We’re hoping that we can play the same way with this Round of 32 game. The world is looking at us.”

Brazil’s round of 32 game with Japan kicks off at 18:00 (BST) and will be broadcast live on ITV1, ITVX, and STV Player.

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