The coach of Japan announces the challenge. we have beaten Brazil before

In a confident and challenging tone, Hajime Moriyasu issued a stark warning ahead of the Round of 32 match against Brazil, stressing that the Samurai will not just be guests of honor in Houston.

The Japanese coach relied on the memory of Tokyo’s historic 3-2 win over the five-time world champions last October to confirm that his side were coming to fight, not watch.

Japan booked their place in the qualifiers as runners-up in Group F behind the Netherlands, drawing 1-1 with Sweden in Dallas on Thursday.

Although Moriyasu was disappointed with Sweden’s quick equalizer after Daizen Maeda’s advance, he preferred to secure the point by deploying defensive elements to secure the pass.

Moriyasu said after securing the qualification.Reuters:“Brazil is one of the best teams in the world and we have a lot of respect for them, but we proved in the last game that we are not an easy opponent. This is a big step forward for us. Nobody knows what will happen on Monday, but we also have a chance to win.”

The historic 3-2 victory in Tokyo was Japan’s first ever against Brazil and is the psychological weapon Moriyasu is clinging to ahead of the Houston clash.

Moriyasu commented on the draw with Sweden. “We conceded a goal and that’s the nature of football and after the draw he decided to bring in defensive players rather than risk attacking to keep the point and secure second place.”

Moriyasu considered the qualification a victory for Asian football, saying: “This is what we have been striving for since the beginning of the tournament and it is a testament to the development of Japanese football. We represent the sporting aspirations of the region as a whole.”