rewrite this title “We have a chance to surpass them” – Japan star Daichi Kamada makes claim ahead of Brazil FIFA World Cup knockout clash

Japan midfielder Daichi Kamada has spoken boldly ahead of his country’s FIFA World Cup meeting with fine-tune champions Brazil. The Samurai Blues have been drawn against the South Americans in the Round of 32 of the competition after both sides emerged from their respective groups.

Kamada made his comments to reporters as he continues to prepare for the game againsn Houston. The Crystal Palace midfielder acknowledged the role that Brazilians have played in the development of football in Japan, but sees this game as an opportunity to surpass them on the field.

“In Japan, we’ve had coaches like Zico, and many Brazilians play in our league. We learn from each other. We have a lot of respect and gratitude, but now we have the chance to surpass them”, he said.

Japan are regarded as one of the dark horses in this tournament, and picked up five points from their three group stage games. They went through the group stage without once tasting defeat against the Netherlands, Tunisia, and Sweden, as they won one and drew two of their games.

The South Americans have exported some football greats to aid the spread of the game across the world, and one of them was Zico. The former midfielder coached the Japan national team between 2002 and 2006, and is now with Kashima Antlers as a Technical Adviser.

Daichi Kamada has been in fine form in this tournament, scoring in both of his country’s first games against the Netherlands and Tunisia. He will hope to return to the score sheet against Brazil and hell his country secure passage into the Round of 16.

Japan targeting FIFA World Cup history against Brazil

Japan are looking to win a FIFA World Cup knockout game for the first time in their history when they gave Brazil. The Samurai Blues enjoyed a fine group stage campaign in which they picked up five points to qualify in second place behind the Netherlands.

Hajime Moriyasu’s side have never previously won a knockout game in the FIFA World Cup. They have qualified from the group stage on four separate occasions in the past but always come unstuck when it comes to the knockout stages.

Japan will be expected to give a game to Carlo Ancelotti’s side this time around, having defeated the Selecao in a friendly last October. They lost their only FIFA World Cup meeting with the Selecao, succumbing to a 4-1 humbling in the 2006 edition of the Mundial.

Edited by Sulayman Salahudeen