Substitute Tatsuhiro Sakamoto scored in stoppage time to give Japan a 3-2 victory over Brazil in an international friendly at the National Stadium in Singapore on Saturday.
Takefusa Kubo leads early charge
Japan seized a two-goal advantage within the opening 20 minutes before a crowd of 38,688 fans. Takefusa Kubo opened the scoring in the 15th minute by running through from the halfway line after receiving a pass from Ritsu Doan and hitting a low shot past goalkeeper Pedro Morisco.
Keito Nakamura doubled the lead four minutes later. Shuto Nakano delivered a cutback from the right side, allowing Nakamura to control the ball and pick his spot past Morisco from just inside the box.
Vinicius Junior brings Brazil level
Brazil responded in the 33rd minute when Vinicius Junior received a pass from Bruno Guimaraes and scored with a long-range drive past Zion Suzuki.
Vinicius struck again in the 75th minute, curling a shot from the left side off the far post and into the net to tie the match at 2-2. Endrick later hit the crossbar with a 25-meter effort for Brazil, while Ao Tanaka registered a 96 per cent pass-success rate and six tackles for Japan.
Late winner sparks red cards
Sakamoto secured the victory in the 91st minute by lifting the ball over the goalkeeper after Kodai Sano’s shot deflected into his path inside the box.
“I was genuinely happy. I was sent to change the tide of the game and I’m glad to net the one big chance I got,” said Sakamoto, according to Kyodo News.
The goal prompted fierce protests from the Brazilian bench over a perceived foul in the build-up. Referee Jansen Foo Chuan Hui issued red cards to Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti and already-substituted captain Raphinha.
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“The result was clearly affected by the referee, who wasn’t able to control the game,” Ancelotti said, according to Football Italia.
Japan will play their final game under outgoing coach Hajime Moriyasu against Paraguay on November 17 in Singapore, while Brazil will face Singapore on the same day.
𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸 🌍 Raphinha features in the international friendly between Japan and Brazil (3-2). 📸 @CBF_Futebol @rafaribeirorio pic.twitter.com/aWcAwqLZIJ
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“I'm very happy that I can now say that today's match was the best match of my eight years as head coach,” outgoing Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu said.
More on Japan
⚽️⚽️🇧🇷 Vinicius Jr, back to scoring goals for the first time since September (with Brazil) and August (with Real Madrid). Brace against Japan for Vini Jr with Seleção today. 2️⃣ pic.twitter.com/TaL7rypSF2
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🚨 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: On his own Social Media, Brazilian legend Romário has called for Carlo Ancelotti TO LEAVE BRAZIL after their 3-2 defeat to Japan! “Ancelotti, enough is enough! Pack your things and LEAVE!" “Go back to club football, where you made your name, because Brazil… pic.twitter.com/SK7vpW5IiY
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