Japan vs Brazil: Kubo and Vinícius Júnior Lead Friendly in Singapore

Japan and Brazil face each other in an international friendly at the National Stadium in Singapore on Saturday, 14 November, the first of two matches for both teams during this international break. For Japan, the game carries the weight of a rematch, after Brazil eliminated them in the Round of 16 of the World Cup following a late comeback.

A rematch for Japan

Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu is looking to settle a score from the last World Cup, when his side led at half-time before Brazil rallied to win. Since that defeat, Japan has not lost. It beat Uruguay 3-1 and Venezuela 2-1, with two goals from Ayase Ueda in the second match, and then won the Kirin Cup. In the semi-final it beat Ecuador on penalties, and in the final it defeated New Zealand 2-1.

Reports describe Japan as a well-organised side with a clear identity, even without global stars. Takefusa Kubo and Ritsu Doan are expected to be the main threats, using their mobility and an aggressive pressing game to test Brazil. Ueda, the team's leading scorer, is not in the squad.

Brazil still building under Ancelotti

Brazil is still searching for its best form under Carlo Ancelotti. After being knocked out in the Round of 16 of the World Cup, the team began a new cycle with a tour of Australia and India. It drew 1-1 with Australia in Townsville, with a last-minute goal from Rayan, won 4-2 in the return match in Brisbane, and finished with a 4-0 win over India in Kolkata.

Ancelotti's squad is young, with 15 of the 26 players aged under 23, including Endrick, Rayan, Estêvão and Alisson Santana. To avoid disrupting Brazilian clubs during the closing stages of the Brasileirão and the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana finals, he called only one player per Brazilian club, leaving out Flamengo and Palmeiras players. Vinícius Júnior, Raphinha and Bruno Guimarães are expected to form the core of the side.

Expected line-ups and returns

Japan is expected to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Zion Suzuki in goal and Takumi Minamino partnering Kubo up front. Minamino returns after recovering from a cruciate ligament injury that kept him out of the World Cup. Defender Hiroki Machida, Tatsuhiro Sakamoto and Koki Ogawa are also back, and Karlsruhe striker Shio Fukuda received his first call-up.

Brazil is likely to play a 4-2-3-1, with Bento in goal and Endrick leading the attack, supported by Estêvão, Raphinha and Vinícius Júnior. Match reports note that the referee has yet to be confirmed. Kick-off is scheduled for 05:15 Eastern Time in the United States, which is 11:15 in Spain.

What next

The match is expected to be closely contested, with Japan's organisation likely to limit Brazil's attacking threat. Brazil has more individual talent, but its team play is still developing. Japan's Asian Cup was postponed from January in Saudi Arabia, and this window could be Moriyasu's last in charge, according to reports. Brazil plays a second friendly during the same break.

What we know so far: the match is set for Singapore on 14 November, and both line-ups are projected rather than confirmed.