Skip to content Gabriel Martinelli’s 95th-minute dagger in Houston still stings, but Japan vs Brazil returns to the pitch this Saturday with old scores waiting to be settled. That dramatic 2-1 World Cup round-of-32 clash in the summer broke Japanese hearts in the dying seconds.
Now the two nations meet again on neutral turf. The international friendly gives Japan an immediate chance to answer back while their rivals continue a fresh rebuild.
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Carlo Ancelotti has taken his side to Asia for the second straight international break. After dispatching India 4-0 in their previous outing, the Italian manager wants to test his reshuffled group against far stiffer opposition.
Kick-off time and TV blackout for Japan vs Brazil
The clash takes place at the Singapore National Stadium on Saturday 14 November. Kick-off is scheduled for 10:15am GMT, offering European viewers a morning start.
Supporters tracking Japan vs Brazil from the UK will discover the match is not available on live television. No domestic broadcaster picked up the broadcast rights for this fixture.
Fans in Britain must turn to online live blogs and text commentaries to keep up with the action as it happens.
Why Japan vs Brazil tests a depleted Japanese squad
Injuries have stripped three key pillars from the squad ahead of Japan vs Brazil. Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma remains sidelined and cannot offer his usual threat off the flank.
Crystal Palace defender Takehiro Tomiyasu also misses out through injury, removing vital experience from the backline. Striker Ayase Ueda, who found the net during their last outing, is unavailable as well.
Those absences put heavier creative pressure on Takefusa Kubo and Daizen Maeda. They must carry the attack against an athletic South American back four.
Ancelotti turns to youth without Alisson or Marquinhos
Ancelotti left several household names out of this travelling roster. Regular goalkeeper Alisson Becker and defensive anchor Marquinhos did not make the trip.
Forward Matheus Cunha is another senior figure missing from the camp, while Joao Pedro is out with a thigh problem. Those omissions create room for fresh faces to prove themselves on the international stage.
Raphinha travelled after recovering from a muscle problem and could feature. Even so, Ancelotti seems prepared to hand big attacking roles to teenager Endrick and youngster Rayan alongside Vinicius Jr.
How both sides set up in Singapore
Japan should deploy a 3-4-2-1 system to handle Brazil’s wingers. Zion Suzuki starts in goal behind a back three of Ayumu Seko, Ko Itakura and Hiroki Ito.
Yukinari Sugawara and Keito Nakamura will patrol the flanks, sandwiching Daichi Kamada and Ao Tanaka in midfield. Koki Ogawa spearheads the attack ahead of Kubo and Maeda.
Brazil counter with Bento between the posts. Vanderson and Augusto take the full-back slots, flanking central defenders Vitor Reis and Gabriel Magalhaes.
A fresh midfield trio features Bontempo, Gomes and Santos. Up front, Rayan and Endrick partner Vinicius Jr in a pace-filled frontline designed to press Japan from the opening whistle.
With Endrick and Rayan leading the line alongside Vinicius Jr, Japan vs Brazil gives Ancelotti a clear look at his attacking future.
All eyes turn to Singapore on Saturday morning at 10:15am GMT to see whether Japan can avenge their Houston heartbreak.
Source: Independent Sport
