Brazil strike confident tone ahead of Japan World Cup clash

HOUSTON: A bullish Marquinhos warned Brazil were improving all the time ahead of their World Cup last-32 clash with a dangerous Japan side on Monday.
Japan defeated Carlo Ancelotti’s men 3-2 at home in October in a friendly for a historic first victory over the South Americans.
Coupled with a 1-0 win over England at Wembley, Japan came into the World Cup in North America as dark horses.
Japan and Brazil meet in Houston with a place in the last 16 at stake, and Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos struck a confident tone.
The 32-year-old, who was among several defenders missing from the friendly defeat, said they had taken lessons from that night.
“I think that really was a learning experience for us,” he said.
“Everything that we’ve been through in the last few years brought us to this point, to this present moment, in the World Cup, and everything is a learning experience.
“It’s really a test, and our coach really saw what he needed to see.”
He added: “I think since then, we have grown quite a bit.
“We have changed a lot as a squad.
“We have done a lot of adjustments and in the last few games I think we have grown as a team as well.”
Marquinhos praised the experienced Italian Ancelotti, a serial winner at club level, for bringing stability and tactical nous.
Brazil, chasing a record-extending sixth World Cup crown, were held 1-1 by Morocco in their opening game at the World Cup before beating Haiti and Scotland, both 3-0.
They appear to be growing into the tournament, having faced a severe test against Morocco, and Marquinhos said: “There’s always a lot of pride playing for the national team.
“But we were not coming together at first, (until) the adjustments that our coach made.
“He’s an intelligent coach.

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