The first piece of action in the second half was from Brazil, with Raphinha’s shot in the box well saved by Suzuki.
Both teams pushed for another goal after the break, but clear-cut chances were few and far between.
That was until Vinicius Jr unleashed another long-range shot to bring the game level in the 75th minute. The Real Madrid forward curled the ball in from the left wing as it bounced off the post and into the net.
Both teams also made a raft of substitutions throughout the contest as the likes of Brazil’s Endrick and Japan’s Takumi Minamino entered the field of play.
Endrick’s strike in the 79th minute hit the bar but Japan would get the victory as Tatsuhiro Sakamoto scored the winner in injury time after a deflected shot dropped to him and he lobbed it over the Brazilian goalkeeper to secure the win.
Ancelotti and Raphinha – who had already been substituted – were issued red cards by Singaporean referee Jansen Foo in the aftermath of that goal. The Brazilian bench had protested for what they felt was a foul in the build-up to Japan’s goal.
Some members of the Brazil team also tried to confront the match officials after the final whistle.
At the post-match press conference, Ancelotti said that the referee gave him the red card because he was not able to control his bench.
Nevertheless, he said that for 70 minutes, Brazil played well. “We played what we wanted to do, to play with intensity.”
“I am satisfied for the game that we played apart from the start of the game that was not good.
“But after, I think we reacted really well, taking the opportunity to equalise the game and to try to win,” Ancelotti said.
Moriyasu admitted that he had feared the possibility of Brazil scoring a third goal after they equalised, but the players fought for victory and not a draw, he said.
“That was a very satisfying moment for me.”
Moriyasu, who had planned to step down at the end of the Asian Cup campaign, will now depart early as following the tournament’s postponement.
When asked if he wanted to and would stay on as coach, Moriyasu said no.
“I need to pass my baton on to the next coach,” he said.
The fixture is part of the Mizuho Blue Challengea four-nation international football showcase also featuring Singapore and Paraguay. The match between Singapore and Paraguay on Friday ended 4-1 in favour of the South Americans.
Japan will next face Paraguay on Nov 17, while Brazil will take on Singapore on the same day.
Source: www.channelnewsasia.com
