ARLINGTON, Texas - After navigating through a tough group, the ultimate World Cup test awaits Japan next, when they take on record five-time champions Brazil in Houston on Monday in the round of 32.
The two nations will meet for the first time since Hajime Moriyasu's side beat the Carlo Ancelotti-led Selecao 3-2 in a home friendly last October, which was the Samurai Blue's first-ever win against the formidable South Americans at the senior level.
"I think (Brazil's) motivation is high after we won (that match)," Moriyasu said. "Getting to play such a serious Brazil side against this backdrop is something I'm looking forward to."
During a post-match press conference following their 1-1 draw with Sweden on Thursday, a Brazilian media outlet argued Japan would no longer be seen as an underdog against Brazil, and Moriyasu said he was "extremely pleased" by such words.
"Japan might have been an opponent they could comfortably beat a decade ago," he said. "But us now being recognized as someone not easy to beat, as with what happened last year, already shows Japanese football's development and growth."
Neither side fielded their strongest defenses for the friendly in Tokyo and Japan's players understand playing Brazil in the knockout phase of the World Cup is an entirely different proposition.
"That experience cannot be taken into account. It has no relevance in terms of the setup, the level of the game," forward Ayase Ueda said. "(But) the changing impressions that we have of our opponents show Japan's development."
Daichi Kamada, who along with Ueda leads Japan with two goals at this tournament, said going "toe-to-toe" against Brazil on such a stage would prove how far the Samurai Blue have come.
"In terms of mentality, they'll no longer be taking us lightly," Kamada said. "I think the most important thing is to really enjoy the occasion...I think Japanese football is evolving, and we'll look to give all we have to prove it on the pitch."
One of the latest players to face Japan, Sweden forward Viktor Gyokeres, who was kept quiet during their encounter at Dallas Stadium, gave his first-hand impression.
"I think their work rate is outstanding, so you have to match that," the Arsenal forward said. "It feels like they're always in the right position defensively and then offensively."
Brazil will be the first former World Cup winner to face Japan in a knockout phase. They lost in the last 16 on four occasions, to Turkey (2002) and Belgium (2018) in normal time and to Paraguay (2010) and Croatia (2022) on penalties.
