Japan exact revenge on Brazil with dramatic win

SINGAPORE — There may not have been a FIFA World Cup round of 16 spot on the line this time around.

But there was no shortage of elation for Japan come the final whistle at Singapore’s National Stadium on Saturday, as they snatched a dramatic last-gasp 3-2 victory over Brazil to exact some form of revenge on their latter — following a heartbreaking loss to the same opponents at the World Cup back in the summer.

Undoubtedly the glamour tie of The Mizuho Blue Challenge, which will see some of football’s biggest names grace Singaporean shores until Tuesday, Saturday’s tie did not fail to deliver with the sheer drama and quality it boasted.

With a blistering start, Japan found themselves two goals ahead by the 19th minute.

First, a quick transition play in the 15th minute saw Ritsu Dōan play an incisive pass to send Takefusa Kubo racing down the right, where he advanced inside the area and stayed calm while being squared up by an opponent — finding the opportune moment to drill a shot past Pedro Morisco at the near side.

Four minutes later, right after Daizen Maeda had spurned two excellent chances, the Samurai Blue would duly double their lead.

Another clinical break down the right saw Shuto Nakano hit the byline and — with no options in the six-yard box — he cleverly played the ball back to the penalty spot to find an unmarked Keito Nakamura, who coolly sorted his feet out before stroking a shot into the bottom corner.

Yet, as was the case at the World Cup, Japan’s failure to seize the ascendancy threated to be their undoing. Instead of looking to deal even more damage to the opposition, they were content to consolidate their lead.

And given their opponents’ undoubted quality, it was always going to be risky.

In the end, it was arguably the biggest name on show — Real Madrid ace Vinícius Júnior — who would inspire the Brazil fightback.

He pulled one back for them three minutes after the half-hour mark just when a brilliant one-on-one save by Zion Suzuki to deny Estêvão Willian looked to have dealt with the threat.

Brazil would recycle the attack and Vinícius’ decision to venture over to the right proved a stroke of genius — as he suddenly found more space than he had up until that point, proceeding to advance towards goal before sending a stunning piledriver that had Suzuki beaten all ends up into the top corner.

With the wind now in their sails, Brazil were obviously coming for Japan and Suzuki twice made fine saves either side of halftime to deny Estêvão and then Raphinha.

But, with 15 minutes remaining, there was again little Suzuki could do to deny the brilliance of Vinícius.

Receiving possession out wide from a short corner taken by Bruno Guimarães, Vinícius would dance his way to the edge of the box and create just enough space for him to curl another sublime effort in off the post.

Brazil could then easily have taken the lead in the 80th minute when a speculative left-footed rocket from outside the area by Endrick beat Suzuki — only to come crashing back off the bar.

Given all the entertainment they had delivered to the 38,688, a draw did seem like it might be the fairest result.

Nonetheless, there was still one final twist of the tale — just like there was at the World Cup with Brazil’s 95th-minute winner. This time, it was Japan who would have the last laugh.

Into the first minute of injury-time, Kaishu Sano‘s charge into the final third would see his left-wing cross miscued by Kōki Ogawa, who instead diverted the ball to the edge of the box.

Kodai Sano latched onto the loose ball and, while his 20-yard effort was blocked, it diverted kindly into the path of Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, who instinctively lifted his shot over the onrushing Morisco to snatch the victory for his team.

Unhappy with what they believed had been a foul in the build-up to Japan’s winner, among several other incidents throughout the 90 minutes, Brazil’s frustrations boiled over and their remonstrations were unsavoury enough that it led to both coach Carlo Ancelotti and captain Raphinha being sent off by referee Jansen Foo.

Moments later after, the final whistle led to further protests, ensuring that a clash that already brimming with quality and drama now finished with a bit of spice.

Not that it bothered Japan, who calmly retreated to their own side of the pitch, waited for the dust to settle, before coach Hajime Moriyasu impassionately addressed their fans in looks to be his second last game in charge.

Once again, the Samurai Blue showed they have no issues matching it with the world’s best.

They just now need to do it when it really matters.