Match Informatio
Team: Brazil vs Japan
Date: Saturday, 15th June, 2013
Time: 19:00 GMT
Tournament: FIFA Confederations Cup
Brazil are set for a step up in class when they continue their tour of friendlies with a meeting with Japan in Wroclaw, Poland on Tuesday. The Selecao cruised to a 6-0 victory over Iraq last Friday in the latest match against significantly inferior opposition.
Team: Brazil vs Japan
Date: Saturday, 15th June, 2013
Time: 19:00 GMT
Tournament: FIFA Confederations Cup
Brazil are set for a step up in class when they continue their tour of friendlies with a meeting with Japan in Wroclaw, Poland on Tuesday. The Selecao cruised to a 6-0 victory over Iraq last Friday in the latest match against significantly inferior opposition.
n contrast, Alberto Zaccheroni’s Japan should provide a significant
examination of how Brazil are shaping up under Mano Menezes with 20
months to go before they begin their World Cup campaign as hosts.
While Japan could only beat Iraq 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier back in
September, they scored an impressive scalp with a 1-0 victory over a
strong France side in Paris on Friday.
With many people back in Brazil still questioning whether Menezes is
the man to lead the country on home soil, a positive result against a
strong side, featuring the creative talents of Manchester United’s
Shinji Kagawa, will be keenly desired.
While the opposition may have not provided much of a test, there were
encouraging signs for Brazil last time out. Menezes blooded a new
formation featuring Neymar and Hulk cutting in from either flank while
the attacking midfield duo of Oscar and Kaka looked to provide support
through the center.
Kaka looked good on his first appearance for Brazil since the 2010
World Cup and even marked the milestone with a goal. However, whether
the Real Madrid man will play a significant role in 2014 remains to be
seen. While the number of minutes he enjoys and the form he displays at
club level will be integral to his future with Brazil, he will also have
to show that he can still be a factor against top international
competition. Tuesday, against Japan, would be a good place for the
30-year-old former world player of the year to continue to prove that he
is not yet a spent force.
Menezes is certain to have to make at least one change to the lineup
that faced off with Iraq, with left-back Marcelo suffering a fractured
metatarsal in training on Sunday that will rule him out for three
months.
With fellow-full-backs Dani Alves and Alex Sandro already out, it
leaves Menezes with something of a selection dilemma. A change may also
be needed in midfield, with Ramires struggling with illness.
