Brazil Coach Ancelotti Hopeful for Neymar Return Against Japan

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti expects star forward Neymar to play more minutes in Monday’s crucial World Cup round of 32 clash against Japan.

Neymar recently recovered from a calf injury, playing just 15 minutes as a substitute during Brazil's 3-0 group-stage win over Scotland. However, Ancelotti confirmed the forward's fitness has improved significantly over the past week.

The knockout match carries immense pressure, especially after Japan defeated Brazil 3-2 in an October friendly in Tokyo. Ancelotti noted that the previous loss offered valuable tactical insights, acknowledging Japan as one of the world's best-organized teams.

With immediate elimination on the line, the Italian manager emphasized that Brazil is treating the fixture like a final. He stressed that his squad is mentally prepared for all high-stakes knockout scenarios, including extra time and penalty shootouts.

The match is scheduled for a noon kickoff local time in Houston. While this marks Brazil's first midday game of the tournament, Ancelotti dismissed concerns, noting it aligns with their usual training schedule.

Reflecting on the wider tournament, the veteran coach added that the group stages showed no single clear favorite, predicting a highly balanced and competitive knockout phase.