【Match Report】SAMURAI BLUE Avenge World Cup Defeat as Sakamoto Strikes Late Winner

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15 November 2026

【Match Report】SAMURAI BLUE Avenge World Cup Defeat as Sakamoto Strikes Late Winner

SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) faced the Brazil National Team on 14 November at Singapore National Stadium in the MIZUHO BLUE CHALLENGE THE KALLANG FOOTBALL SERIES SINGAPORE.

It was the first meeting between the two sides since the Round of 32 at the FIFA World Cup 2026™, when Japan took the lead but were eventually beaten 2-1 after coming under sustained pressure in the second half. This time, Japan came out on the front foot. Switching from the 3-4-2-1 formation used in their previous encounter to a 4-2-3-1, they kept their defensive line high and pressed aggressively to win the ball further up the pitch.

SUZUKI Zion (Aston Villa FC) started in goal, with NAKANO Shuto (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), SEKO Ayumu (Le Havre AC), MACHIDA Koki (TSG Hoffenheim) and ITO Hiroki (FC Bayern Munich) forming the back four from right to left. TANAKA Ao (Leeds United FC) and KAMADA Daichi (Crystal Palace FC) formed the central midfield pairing, while DOAN Ritsu (Eintracht Frankfurt), KUBO Takefusa (Real Sociedad) and NAKAMURA Keito (Olympique Lyonnais) lined up behind lone striker MAEDA Daizen (Ipswich Town FC). With Maeda and Kubo triggering the press, Japan repeatedly disrupted Brazil's attempts to build from the back with coordinated pressing.

Japan's proactive approach paid off in the 15th minute. Nakano received a pass from Seko on the right side of Japan's half and played a diagonal ball towards Maeda, who held off his marker and laid it off to Doan. Doan played a first-time pass forward to Kubo, who drove into the penalty area, created just enough space with a quick change of direction and fired a left-footed shot into the bottom-right corner.

Japan had also taken the lead in their previous meeting, only to be forced deep into their own half as Brazil mounted a relentless comeback. This time, however, Japan maintained the aggressive approach the players had identified as a key focus before the match. Just five minutes after opening the scoring, they struck again.

Nakano broke down the right and sent a low cross into the box from near the byline. Kubo ran towards the near post and let the ball run through to Nakamura, who was unmarked at the far post and finished. By pressing Brazil's players in possession and making purposeful runs into attacking areas, Japan were putting into practice the kind of football they had been unable to produce at the World Cup.

Japan dictated the pace in the opening stages, but Brazil showed their quality in the 33rd minute. Vinicius JUNIOR, who had moved from the left flank to the right, scored from outside the penalty area. Japan had numbers back, but they were undone by a moment of world-class individual skill.

Japan took a 2-1 lead into half-time, but Brazil's individual quality came to the fore again in the 75th minute. Following a corner, Vinicius scored his second of the match. He carried the ball towards the right edge of the penalty area, away from Japan's goal, before firing a powerful shot in off the post.

Despite surrendering a two-goal lead, Japan refused to settle for a draw. Their substitutes stepped up when it mattered most. MINAMINO Takumi (AS Monaco), making his first appearance for Japan since November last year, battled to win possession in Brazil's half. SANO Kaishu (1. FSV Mainz 05) collected the ball and carried it into space on the left before sending a cross into the middle. OGAWA Koki (FC Machida Zelvia) attempted a shot but failed to make clean contact, leaving the ball loose for SANO Kodai (PSV Eindhoven), whose shot was deflected into the path of SAKAMOTO Tatsuhiro (Coventry City). Sakamoto reacted quickly and fired home the winner in added time.

After the match, head coach MORIYASU Hajime reflected on the victory:

"The players showed what we have built as a team. Regardless of who was on the pitch, they carried out what we set out to do, with the substitutes carrying on the work of the starters and seeing the job through. The substitutes prepared well, and that was also a major factor in our victory."

Moriyasu had previously faced Brazil three times as Japan head coach, losing 1-0 in June 2022, winning 3-2 in October 2025 and losing 2-1 in June 2026. This victory brought his record against Brazil level at two wins and two defeats.

"Across those four matches, we have encouraged the players to take individual responsibility while also working together as an organised team. In terms of our performances, I have no doubt that we improved from the first match to the second, from the second to the third, and again today. The players showed through their performances that continuing to challenge ourselves is helping us become a stronger team.

"Teams around the world want to play against Brazil, and I feel fortunate to have faced them four times during my tenure, including three times in a relatively short period spanning my second and third terms. It is not just about the results. Playing against one of the world's top teams has helped us raise our level."

Under Moriyasu, Japan have consistently aimed not only to catch up with the world's best but to surpass them, approaching each match with an eye on the future as well as the result. Their match against Paraguay at Singapore National Stadium on 17 November will be the final fixture under the current coaching setup.

Coach and Players' Comments

MORIYASU Hajime, Head Coach of SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team)
The players were aggressive in both attack and defence and weren't afraid to take on challenges. I'd need to look at the data and statistics to be sure, but my impression was that we won possession in good areas and applied pressure effectively. The players made a conscious effort to press aggressively without sitting too deep or giving Brazil too much space. I think that was one of the reasons we were able to withstand their pressure and come away with the win. Given Brazil's quality, there were periods in the second half when we struggled in both attack and defence. But the players stayed focused, defended with determination and continued to look for opportunities to get forward. I also think we created more chances than we did at the World Cup or in our previous meetings. It was excellent to score the winner after Brazil had equalised, but I want the players to keep pushing themselves so that we can become a team capable of extending our lead and putting matches beyond our opponents' reach before they have a chance to come back.

MF/FW #10 DOAN Ritsu (Eintracht Frankfurt/Germany)
I think our performance today gave us a better chance of winning than in our previous two matches against Brazil. One of the main goals for this Japan team is to keep improving our chances of winning, even if only by a small margin. At the World Cup in Qatar, we were at a level where we might have won only once or twice if we played the same opponents ten times. We want to move beyond that and produce performances that give us a better than 50 per cent chance of winning. With that in mind, I felt confident about how we played today. After Brazil equalised, the intensity brought by the substitutes became really important. Brazil brought on some outstanding players, but we also had excellent players coming off the bench who were ready to match them. Being able to go on and win the match was a huge positive.

MF/FW #13 NAKAMURA Keito (Olympique Lyonnais/France)
It's not often you get to play Brazil three times in a year. Winning two of those matches is good, but we lost the most important one at the World Cup, so we still have a long way to go. We need to keep improving. Even though this was a friendly, I don't think there's ever a match you can afford to lose when you're representing your country. Today's win will have a significant impact on our FIFA ranking, which could put us in a stronger position when it comes to choosing our base camp at the next World Cup. Small advantages like that can make a difference to how well we prepare for the tournament. That's why I think this was such an important victory.

MF/FW #20 KUBO Takefusa (Real Sociedad/Spain)
We'd talked about trying to create chances on the counterattack, so I wanted to keep the momentum going whenever we won possession. I considered shooting with my right foot, but I thought I could create a better chance by shifting the ball onto my stronger left. I felt I could turn quicker than the defender could react, and it felt good to be able to take on a defender with that kind of composure again. (On this being the team's final camp under Moriyasu) We'd said before the match that the best way to repay the coach was by getting results. We won 3-2, so I think he'll be happy that we were able to give something back to him. When you consider the FIFA rankings and their importance for future World Cups, this was more than just a friendly. I think it was a really valuable match in terms of improving our standing.

MF/FW #26 SAKAMOTO Tatsuhiro (Coventry City/England)
Watching the first half today, I felt we were every bit as good as Brazil, both as a team and individually. We were playing some excellent football against them. More and more Japanese players have moved to Europe in recent years, and the overall standard of Japanese football has improved significantly. We still have a lot to work on, but if we keep improving as a team, I believe we can reach even greater heights. I know I need to keep working harder myself, too. (On scoring his first goals in the Premier League and for Japan) It's taken a while, but in the year I turn 30, I've had the chance to play in the Premier League and score a goal, and I've also made it back into the national team and scored. It feels like all the hard work I've put in over the years is finally starting to pay off. I've never been a player who stands out above everyone else. I've just kept working hard and taking things one step at a time. It's taken a long time, but I'm really happy to see that all those efforts are finally beginning to bear fruit.