Ancelotti expects bigger Neymar role against Japan in World Cup knockout tie

HOUSTON: Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said he hopes to use Neymar for longer against Japan on Monday as his side prepare for a World Cup round-of-32 match he described as a final.

Neymar is returning from a calf problem and played a little over 15 minutes in Brazil's 3-0 win over Scotland in their previous outing. Ancelotti told reporters on Sunday that the forward had made clear progress over the past week and was now in condition to feature for a longer spell.

Attributing significance to Brazil's 3-2 friendly defeat to Japan in Tokyo in October, Ancelotti said the match had helped show the level of the opposition awaiting his team in Houston. He said Brazil had full respect for Japan and were approaching the game with the mindset required for an elimination match, including the possibility of extra time or penalties.

"In the last week his progress has been significant. Unfortunately he could not play longer than 15 minutes before, but he is now doing well enough to play more," Ancelotti said.

Ancelotti also said Brazil would need composure and resilience in a contest where defeat would end their campaign. He said his squad were prepared, motivated and confident, while cautioning that every match in the competition had been difficult. The Brazil coach also said the noon kickoff in Houston was not a concern, noting that the team usually trains at that time of day.

"It was a good experience to know that Japan are one of the best teams in the world. We have full respect for them and will prepare for the game like it is a final, because to us it is a final. We need a strong mind and strong hearts. We have to be ready for anything that could take place in a knockout match, such as extra-time or penalties," he said on the challenge posed by Japan.

He added that Brazil had to stay focused against an opponent he described as very tough and well organised. With a touch of humour, he also remarked that the players would sleep better than the head coach before the match.

Ancelotti said he did not see any clear front-runner for the World Cup title at this stage. In his view, although some teams had performed better than others in the group stage, the tournament remained closely balanced.

Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu, meanwhile, said he was considering taking direct control over the order of penalty takers if the game goes to a shootout. Japan were eliminated in the last 16 at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar when three players missed in the shootout against Croatia, and Moriyasu said he did not want to leave the decision to volunteers this time.

"This time when the moment comes for the penalty kick shootout is probable I would like to decide the order of the kickers rather than players volunteering like last time. I think I am going to make the decision and decide who is going to kick," he said.

Japan arrived in North America aiming to make a first-ever final, and recent notable wins over Germany, Spain and England over the last four years have strengthened belief in the squad. Moriyasu also said winger Takefusa Kubo would not play after suffering an injury during the group stage. He added that Japan's win over Brazil in October would also provide extra motivation for the Brazilians ahead of Monday's meeting at Houston Stadium.