Japan notched its first ever victory against Brazil on Tuesday evening at Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo, engineering a storming second-half comeback to win the friendly fixture 3-2.
In a match marked by defensive breakdowns on both sides, Samurai Blue was able to overturn a two-goal deficit and extend its home unbeaten streak to 21 games. Brazil was coming off a 5-0 win over South Korea at the weekend, while Japan only drew 2-2 with Paraguay on Saturday thanks to a last-minute equalizer.
Japan¡¯s best production in the first half came through creative link-up play between Ritsu Doan and Takefusa Kubo down the right flank. That led to the best chance of the game at 0-0 in the 22nd minute, with a Takumi Minamino flick from a Doan cross that Ayase Ueda couldn¡¯t quite stretch to tap in at the far post.
Brazil always looked comfortable in possession, however, and four minutes later took the lead. After quick passing play outside the box, Bruno Guimaraes split Japan¡¯s defense open with a through ball and Paulo Henrique whipped a first-time shot that goalkeeper Zion Suzuki could only get a hand to.
Brazil soon doubled its advantage in the 31st minute after a perfectly weighted chip from Lucas Paqueta found Gabriel Martinelli wide open to shoot past Suzuki at the far post.
But Japan came out after halftime with a more aggressive style of play and soon struck back thanks to a calamitous error from Fabricio Bruno, whose pass across the face of goal was intercepted and whipped home by Minamino.
And Japan compounded Bruno¡¯s woes 10 minutes later when he turned a shot from Keito Nakamura into his own net to tie the game. The goal was recorded as Nakamura¡¯s inside the stadium, but it was Bruno who diverted the tame ball well beyond keeper Hugo Souza¡¯s reach.
Japan kept up the pressure, with Ueda seeing a headed shot deflected onto the bar in the 69th minute. Ueda found more joy from the resulting corner, giving Japan the lead with a powerful header that Souza could not prevent from bouncing over the line.
Despite bringing on substantial reinforcements from the bench, Brazil had little to offer in response. Richarlison had a header sail over the bar in stoppage time before Joelinton¡¯s shot from outside the box was easily handled by Suzuki.
Ultimately, Japan was able to hold on for a historic victory that will provide no small amount of encouragement ahead of next year¡¯s World Cup.
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