Five-time World Cup champions Brazil advanced to the round of 32 as group leader with seven points and will now face Japan in Houston. Ahead of the knockout rounds, head coach Carlo Ancelotti stressed that his side must rely on “heads, hearts and clear ideas” to keep the World Cup alive.Brazil got off to a slow start at the World Cup, being held to a 1-1 draw by Morocco in their first game. However, the Selecao rebounded strongly by defeating Haiti and Scotland 3-0. A record of 7 points, coupled with a goal difference of +6, ensured that Brazil qualified first in the group for the 12th consecutive World Cup, a record that dates back to the 1982 World Cup.The Japanese team also advanced to the top 32 with an undefeated record. They drew 2-2 with the Netherlands in their first game, beat Tunisia 4-0, and drew 1-1 with Sweden, successfully advancing.With both teams unbeaten heading into the knockout stages, Ancelotti expects the match to be a tough one and believes Brazil must be mentally and emotionally ready for every possible scenario.“We need a lot of things: our minds and our hearts,” Ancelotti told reporters at his pre-match press conference. “We have to be ready for anything that can happen in the knockout rounds because a lot can happen, overtime, penalties. We are ready for every situation. I think the team is ready. They are full of motivation and confidence. We have played well in the last two games, so we are ready for whatever happens tomorrow,” he added. The Italian head coach also reminded the players that there is no room for error from this stage onwards.“This is not a two-legged knockout. This is just one game,” Ancelotti said.Ancelotti said confidently: “There is no turning back. Brazil has smart players and they understand this. We are a strong team and know how to prepare for such games and I believe we can meet the challenge.” Brazil and Japan last met in a friendly match last October, when the Asian side overcame a two-goal deficit to beat 3-2 in Tokyo.
