Brazil-Japan (National Stadium, Singapore): Preview

Brazil will look to build on their Superclásico de las Américas win over Argentina when they face Japan on Tuesday. The Seleção convincingly beat their South American rivals 2-0 in Beijing on Saturday in a game Head Coach Dunga described as a “cup final.” Two goals from Atlético Mineiro forward Diego Tardelli – his first […]
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sambafoot_admin
2014-10-14 11:46:00

Brazil will look to build on their Superclásico de las Américas win over Argentina when they face Japan on Tuesday.

The Seleção convincingly beat their South American rivals 2-0 in Beijing on Saturday in a game Head Coach Dunga described as a “cup final.”

Two goals from Atlético Mineiro forward Diego Tardelli – his first for his country – secured the victory and ensured Brazil arrive in Singapore to meet Japan with confidence high.

Since the damaging end to this summer’s FIFA World Cup, Dunga has quickly set about repairing Brazil and will be encouraged by the early results of his tinkering.

The Seleção have won all three matches under the former Internacional tactician and are yet to concede a goal.

The win over Argentina was Dunga’s biggest statement so far and he believes it can be an important step in Brazil’s redevelopment.

“After the World Cup, beating the runners-up, who then went on to beat Germany (in a friendly last month) is fantastic,” he stated. “It gives huge confidence to the players.”

A convincing victory against Japan would further add to the growing optimism surrounding Brazil and recent history favours such an outcome.

In five meetings since 2001, the Seleção have won three and draw twice with the Samurai Blue, while the three most recent ties ended 3-0, 4-0 and 4-1 in their favour.

Brazil will also be buoyed by Japan’s mixed start under new Head Coach Javier Aguirre.

Since replacing Alberto Zaccheroni after this summer’s FIFA World Cup, the Mexican has overseen a 2-0 defeat to Uruguay, a 2-2 with Venezuela and, most recently, a laboured 1-0 win over Jamaica.

With his rebuilding process in its early days, Aguirre is philosophical about his side’s chances against Brazil, but is not ruling out an upset.

“If we play the way we did (against Jamaica) we might have a chance against Brazil,” stated the former Espanyol tactician. “We had 20 shots against Jamaica. Against Brazil we might have one – and we’ll need to take that.”

Aguirre’s preparations for the tie at the National Stadium have been hindered by the loss of Shinji Kagawa to injury, though in-form Keisuke Honda and Yūto Nagatomo are expected to feature.

For Dunga, David Luiz is likely to be unavailable, so Corinthians defender Gil will start, but other than that change, he is expected to name the same line up that defeated Argentina.

Brazil squad

Goalkeepers: Jefferson (Botafogo), Rafael Cabral (Napoli), Marcelo Grohe (Grêmio)

Defenders: Danilo (Porto), Miranda (Atlético de Madrid), David Luiz (Paris Saint-Germain), Filipe Luís (Chelsea), Juan Jesus (Internazionale), Gil (Corinthians), Dodô (Internazionale), Mário Fernandes (CSKA Moscow)

Midfielders: Rômulo (Spartak Moscow), Souza (São Paulo), Oscar (Chelsea), Luiz Gustavo (VfL Wolfsburg), Everton Ribeiro (Cruzeiro), Willian (Chelsea), Kaká (São Paulo), Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool), Elias (Corinthians)

Attackers: Robinho (Santos), Diego Tardelli (Atlético Mineiro), Neymar (Barcelona)

Japan squad

Goalkeepers: Eiji Kawashima (Standard Liège), Shūsaku Nishikawa (Urawa Red Diamonds), Shūichi Gonda (F.C. Tokyo)

Defenders: Hiroki Mizumoto (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Yūto Nagatomo (Internazionale), Kosuke Ota (F.C. Tokyo), Daigo Nishi (Kashima Antlers), Maya Yoshida (Southampton), Tsukasa Shiotani (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Gōtoku Sakai (VfB Stuttgart), Gen Shoji (Kashima Antlers), Masato Morishige (F.C. Tokyo)

Midfielders: Keisuke Honda (Milan), Hajime Hosogai (Hertha BSC), Junya Tanaka (Sporting CP), Shinji Kagawa (Borussia Dortmund), Ryota Morioka (Vissel Kobe), Gaku Shibasaki (Kashima Antlers), Yoshinori Muto (F.C. Tokyo)

Attackers: Shinji Okazaki (Mainz 05), Mike Havenaar (Córdoba), Yu Kobayashi (Kawasaki Frontale), Yoichiro Kakitani (Basel)

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by
sambafoot_admin
Oct 14, 2014