Japan beat Brazil 3-2 in an international friendly Japan vs Brazil friendly on Tuesday, October 14, in Tokyo. The Japanese team came back from a 2-0 deficit to score three goals in the second half to register a memorable win.
Brazil had earlier beaten South Korea 5-0 in another friendly a few days ago. Carlo Ancelotti decided to rest most of the regular starters in the Japan vs Brazil match, with a few of them getting introduced in the match only in the second half.
However, Japan strengthened their claim as the strongest nation in Asian football with their victory. Japan have performed really well in each of the last two World Cups and their triumph in the Japan vs Brazil match is a landmark event in the history of Asian football.
Japan vs Brazil Saw Most of Brazil’s Star Attackers Not Getting a Start
A few of Brazil’s star attackers, like Estevao, Rodrygo and Matheus Cunha, did not start in the Japan vs Brazil match. Both Estevao and Rodrygo scored a brace in the match against South Korea.
Brazil started with Vinicius Junior and Gabriel Martinelli upfront, and the latter even managed to score a goal in the match. The abundance of resources that the Selecao have among their forwards is one of their strongest points as a team. That should relieve Ancelotti to a great extent, but the team’s defence tells a different story.
Aside from Eder Militao, Marquinhos and Casemiro, Brazil do not have too many experienced and top-quality defensive players in their team. The way Japan scored three goals in the second half against them should keep Ancelotti worried.
Brazil have often found their defence to be their Achilles’ heel in recent World Cups. They lost 3-2 to Belgium in the quarter-finals of the 2018 World Cup and then lost to Cameroon and Croatia in 2022.
Ancelotti started with a very aggressive 4-2-4 formation against South Korea, with Vinicius, Rodrygo, Cunha and Estevao playing as the front-four. However, that was largely an experimental formation and the Italian cannot afford to be that adventurous in a major tournament.
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Brazil’s Qualifying Campaign
The loss in the Japan vs Brazil match was not a rarity in recent times for the Brazilians. The Selecao find themselves in fifth position in the CONMEBOL table. They have lost six of their 18 matches so far in qualifying, which points to a defensive frailty.
In such a scenario, it will not be easy for Ancelotti to guide the Brazilians to their sixth World Cup title. They will remain one of the genuine contenders, but the Italian will have to find the right balance between defence and attack.
The Japan vs Brazil match should thus come as a harsh reality check for Ancelotti’s men. It remains to be seen whether they can come up with an improved defensive performance in the matches to come.
The Italian was roped in with a lot of hope by Brazil. He is expected to bring in the famous Italian expertise in their defence.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / AFLOSPORT
Recording Date: 13.10.2025