Japan stun Brazil in five-goal thriller

ملخص مفصل

The Samurai Blue backed up their talk of Asian pride with a stunning victory, coming from a two-goal advantage before substitute Tatsuhiro Sakamoto struck the decisive goal in added time.

Japan produced a memorable performance to beat five-time world champions Brazil 3-2 in an absorbing international friendly at the National Stadium on Saturday, giving outgoing head coach Hajime Moriyasu a deserving send-off.

The Samurai Blue backed up their talk of Asian pride with a stunning victory, coming from a two-goal advantage before substitute Tatsuhiro Sakamoto struck the decisive goal in added time.

Brazil, who had looked set for another famous night at the same venue, were left stunned by the late winner, which sparked strong protests from the visiting players.

Twelve years after Neymar scored all four goals in Brazil's 4-0 victory over Japan at the National Stadium, it appeared Vinicius Junior was ready to take centre stage.

The Real Madrid forward scored twice from long range to help Brazil recover from a two-goal deficit and draw level in the second half.

However, Japan refused to settle for a draw and continued pushing for a winner, with Sakamoto eventually finding the net in stoppage time to seal a famous 3-2 triumph.

In stark contrast to the 14,316 spectators who watched Paraguay beat Singapore 4-1 the previous night, the National Stadium was buzzing with 38,688 fans.

Brazil and Japan supporters turned the arena into a sea of yellow and blue for the second of four Mizuho Blue Challenge international friendlies.

Among the familiar football personalities spotted in the stands were former Brazil international and Tottenham goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, as well as Malaysia and Johor Darul Taulzim's Brazil-born striker Bergson.

مطلع المقال، مقتطف من The Daily Star. لقراءة المقال كاملًا، افتحه على موقع الناشر.