Ancelotti Rejects Japan Mind Games Before Brazil's Round-of-32 Clash as Neymar Eyes More Than 15 Minutes
Updated
Updated · ESPN · Jun 29
Ancelotti Rejects Japan Mind Games Before Brazil's Round-of-32 Clash as Neymar Eyes More Than 15 Minutes
3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Jun 29
Summary
Carlo Ancelotti brushed off Japan's pre-match jibes before Monday's round-of-32 tie, saying Brazil will focus on preparation rather than respond to talk of the Seleção as "fallen giants."
Kento Shiogai, Japan's 21-year-old Wolfsburg striker, made the remark against a backdrop of Japan's 10-game unbeaten run since September, a streak that includes wins over England at Wembley and Brazil in Tokyo.
Brazil topped Group C after a 1-1 draw with Morocco and 3-0 wins over Haiti and Scotland, while Japan finished second in Group F after drawing the Netherlands and Sweden and beating Tunisia 4-0.
Neymar's return adds another boost for Brazil after his first national-team appearance in more than three years; Ancelotti said the forward, back from a calf injury, is fit to play more than the 15 minutes he logged against Scotland.