Is Japan ready to face Brazil? Neymar on his return: "I went to the dressing room and shed a few tears"

Brazil advanced to the knockout stage from the top of Group C. After an opening draw with Morocco (1-1), they defeated both Haiti and Scotland 3-0, showing significant improvement since their first match, according to coach Carlo Ancelotti. "We are playing as a team," the Italian coach emphasized ahead of the clash with Japan. Interestingly, in 1994, he was on the opposite side as Arrigo Sacchi's assistant when Brazil defeated Italy in the Pasadena final after a penalty shootout. Thirty-two years later, he's back at a World Cup in the USA, this time as the first foreign coach in the national team's history. The 67-year-old manager is one of Brazil's biggest hopes for a sixth title, and their first since 2002.

The defense is led by captain Marquinhos, while the attack is spearheaded by Ancelotti's former Real Madrid charge, Vinicius Junior, with Neymar as another key weapon. The 34-year-old returned to the national team after nearly 1,000 days. He missed the first two group stage matches due to a calf injury and came on in the 76th minute against Scotland. He has scored more goals against Japan (9) than any other opponent in his international career. "I went to the dressing room all by myself and shed a few tears. It's a huge relief to be able to experience all this again. It's a moment of gratitude," said the Seleção's all-time leading goalscorer after the match against Scotland.

The upcoming duel holds a deeper meaning for the Japanese, as the legendary Zico, who arrived in Japan in 1991 and later coached the national team, played a crucial role in professionalizing football in the country. "I'll be cheering for Brazil. I'm Brazilian, after all. But if Japan wins, so be it. All I know is that it will be a great match because Japan plays proper football. They are ready to face anyone. In the last few years, they've beaten Brazil, Germany, Spain, and England. They are truly prepared for whatever comes their way," the 73-year-old Brazilian told fifa.com.

The "Blue Samurai" finished second in Group F after a 4-0 victory over Tunisia and draws with the Netherlands (2-2) and Sweden (1-1). "There is no bigger stage than this. Against Brazil, we have to give 120 percent, and for that, we must stick together as one team and one country and prepare with everything we have," noted defender Yukinari Sugawara, according to AFP.

Coach Hajime Moriyasu's team is considered one of the tournament's dark horses, but the Japanese manager warned that the Brazilians will have their October defeat on their minds: "That might make them even more motivated." However, goalkeeper Zion Suzuki believes his team can succeed. "We know they are strong, but if we do things right, we can definitely win," declared the 23-year-old Parma keeper. The winner of the match will face either Ivory Coast or Norway in the round of 16 in East Rutherford.