FOOTBALL – JAPAN’S Tatsuhiro Sakamoto scored a stoppage-time goal to snatch a 3-2 friendly win over Brazil in Singapore yesterday, avenging their World Cup defeat despite Vinicius Jr’s double.
Hajime Moriyasu’s side stunned Brazil early, capitalising on defensive lapses to take a two-goal lead inside 20 minutes through Takefusa Kubo and Keito Nakamura.
Vinicius ignited Brazil’s comeback with a stunning strike in the 33nd minute, collecting the ball outside the penalty area and unleashing an unstoppable shot into the top corner.
The Real Madrid winger equalised in the 75th minute when he latched onto a Bruno Guimaraes pass following a corner, skipped past his marker and curled an effort in off the post.
The five-times world champions looked set to salvage a draw, but winger Sakamoto had the final say in stoppage time to seal a memorable victory for Japan.
Tempers flared following the winner, with Brazil’s manager Carlo Ancelotti and forward Raphinha sent off for protesting after the Brazilian side appealed for a foul on Joao Gomes in the build-up.
Brazil will look to bounce back against Singapore on Tuesday when Japan seek to carry their winning momentum into another friendly versus Paraguay.
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