Japan’s national football team is preparing to face Brazil in the Round of 32 at the ongoing World Cup in Houston, with manager Hajime Moriyasu expressing confidence that his side will not be easily beaten despite the South American powerhouse’s strong reputation. The match is scheduled for Monday night, marking a pivotal moment in Japan’s campaign after finishing second in Group F.
Moriyasu pointed to Japan’s 3-2 comeback victory over Brazil in a friendly match in Tokyo last October as evidence that the Samurai Blue can challenge the five-time world champions. “Last time we proved to Brazil that we aren’t a pushover,” Moriyasu said, emphasizing the progress his team has made. “The Brazilian team is a top team in the world and we greatly respect them. In the match, we don’t know what is going to happen. We will have a chance to win as well.”
Japan secured their position in the knockout stage following a 1-1 draw against Sweden in Dallas, with Daizen Maeda scoring the opening goal. The draw clinched second place in Group F behind the Netherlands, which Moriyasu considered a satisfactory outcome despite conceding late in the game. He explained that after the opponent equalized, he opted to strengthen the defense to preserve the point and ensure advancement to the next round.
Reflecting on the team’s progress, Moriyasu highlighted the broader significance of Japan’s performance for Asian football. “We are representing Japan, but we’re proud to be representing Japan towards the world. And of course, now we are representing Asia,” he said. Moriyasu acknowledged that other Asian teams have yet to achieve similar success, but expressed hope that Japan’s advancement will inspire and elevate the level of football across the continent. “If we’re having good competitions among Asian teams, that can get the level up,” he added.
Historically, Japan has not won a World Cup knockout match in four previous attempts, positioning their clash with Brazil as a challenging test. Asian football’s best World Cup performance remains South Korea’s run to the semi-finals during the 2002 tournament, which the country co-hosted with Japan. As the competition progresses, Japan is viewed by some analysts as a potential dark horse who could defy expectations in Houston.