JAPAN CLAIMED THEIR first win over Brazil after roaring back in the second half to stun Carlo Ancelotti’s side 3-2 in a friendly in Tokyo on Tuesday.
Luiz Henrique and Gabriel Martinelli scored as Brazil turned on the style in the opening 45 minutes, four days after thrashing South Korea 5-0 in Seoul.
But Japan hit back after the break with goals from Takumi Minamino, Keito Nakamura and Ayase Ueda sending the crowd of almost 45,000 wild.
It was Japan’s first win over Brazil in 14 attempts.
It was also Brazil’s second defeat since the Italian Ancelotti took over in May, following a 1-0 away loss to Bolivia in World Cup qualifying.
Both Brazil and Japan have qualified for next year’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Ancelotti shuffled his line-up from the team that hammered South Korea, dropping goalscorers Estevao and Rodrygo to the bench along with Manchester United’s Matheus Cunha.
Martinelli and Henrique came in to partner Vinicius Junior up front.
Advertisement
Japan were missing several injured regulars including Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma and Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo.
The home side almost took the lead when Ueda narrowly failed to connect with a dangerous ball to the back post in the first real chance of the game.
Brazil made them pay when a slick passing move sent Henrique clear and the Zenit St. Petersburg forward finished in style.
Brazil's Gabriel Martinelli, left, celebrates after scoring a goal. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
Martinelli made it two just minutes later when he smashed the ball past goalkeeper Zion Suzuki after Lucas Paqueta had found him with a clever chipped pass.
Japan pulled one back seven minutes into the second half when Minamino pounced on a loose ball by Fabricio Bruno and blasted it past Hugo Souza.
The hosts grabbed an equaliser when Nakamura turned in the ball at the back post, via a heavy deflection from the hapless Bruno.
Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
Ueda then hit the crossbar before putting Japan in front a minute later with a bullet header.
Brazil tried to find a way back into the game but Japan dealt comfortably with their attacks and could have added to their own tally.
Elsewhere, the Swedish Football Assocation announced today it had sacked national team coach Jon Dahl Tomasson following three straight losses in World Cup qualifying.
The FA said the decision, which had been taken on Tuesday and was effective immediately, was “based on a lack of results in the World Cup qualifiers”.
“There is still a chance to make the playoffs in March, and our responsibility is to ensure that we have the best possible conditions for reaching the World Cup finals,” Simon Astrom, president of the association, said in statement.
Jon Dahl Tomasson. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
On Monday, Sweden lost to Kosovo 1-0 in Gothenburg thanks to a solitary strike by Fisnik Asllani of Hoffenheim.
Despite having Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres and Liverpool striker Alexander Isak starting together up front, Sweden have failed to even score in their last three matches and sit bottom of Group B.
Tomasson, a former Denmark international who notably played for AC Milan, Feyenoord and Newcastle, assumed the role in February 2024.
The Swedish FA said that work on finding a new manager “will begin immediately”.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
Japan roar back to beat Brazil for first time, Sweden sack coach after qualifying defeats
JAPAN CLAIMED THEIR first win over Brazil after roaring back in the second half to stun Carlo Ancelotti’s side 3-2 in a friendly in Tokyo on Tuesday.
Luiz Henrique and Gabriel Martinelli scored as Brazil turned on the style in the opening 45 minutes, four days after thrashing South Korea 5-0 in Seoul.
But Japan hit back after the break with goals from Takumi Minamino, Keito Nakamura and Ayase Ueda sending the crowd of almost 45,000 wild.
It was Japan’s first win over Brazil in 14 attempts.
It was also Brazil’s second defeat since the Italian Ancelotti took over in May, following a 1-0 away loss to Bolivia in World Cup qualifying.
Both Brazil and Japan have qualified for next year’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Ancelotti shuffled his line-up from the team that hammered South Korea, dropping goalscorers Estevao and Rodrygo to the bench along with Manchester United’s Matheus Cunha.
Martinelli and Henrique came in to partner Vinicius Junior up front.
Japan were missing several injured regulars including Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma and Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo.
The home side almost took the lead when Ueda narrowly failed to connect with a dangerous ball to the back post in the first real chance of the game.
Brazil made them pay when a slick passing move sent Henrique clear and the Zenit St. Petersburg forward finished in style.
Martinelli made it two just minutes later when he smashed the ball past goalkeeper Zion Suzuki after Lucas Paqueta had found him with a clever chipped pass.
Japan pulled one back seven minutes into the second half when Minamino pounced on a loose ball by Fabricio Bruno and blasted it past Hugo Souza.
The hosts grabbed an equaliser when Nakamura turned in the ball at the back post, via a heavy deflection from the hapless Bruno.
Ueda then hit the crossbar before putting Japan in front a minute later with a bullet header.
Brazil tried to find a way back into the game but Japan dealt comfortably with their attacks and could have added to their own tally.
Elsewhere, the Swedish Football Assocation announced today it had sacked national team coach Jon Dahl Tomasson following three straight losses in World Cup qualifying.
The FA said the decision, which had been taken on Tuesday and was effective immediately, was “based on a lack of results in the World Cup qualifiers”.
“There is still a chance to make the playoffs in March, and our responsibility is to ensure that we have the best possible conditions for reaching the World Cup finals,” Simon Astrom, president of the association, said in statement.
On Monday, Sweden lost to Kosovo 1-0 in Gothenburg thanks to a solitary strike by Fisnik Asllani of Hoffenheim.
Despite having Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres and Liverpool striker Alexander Isak starting together up front, Sweden have failed to even score in their last three matches and sit bottom of Group B.
Tomasson, a former Denmark international who notably played for AC Milan, Feyenoord and Newcastle, assumed the role in February 2024.
The Swedish FA said that work on finding a new manager “will begin immediately”.
– © AFP 2025
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Brazil Friendly Japan Soccer Tokyo