Korean Media Reacts with Envy After Japan’s Historic Victory Over Brazil

The 19-minute counterattack that shocked the world

At the press conference following the international friendly match Kirin Challenge Cup 2025 held on October 14, Brazil’s head coach Carlo Ancelotti (66) appeared with a stern expression — and for good reason. Despite leading Japan 2–0 in the first half, Brazil conceded three goals in the second half, suffering a historic defeat.

“Losing is never something one can easily accept. I feel extremely disappointed and dissatisfied,” he said, his face showing clear traces of humiliation.

This was Brazil’s first-ever loss to Japan in history — and their first defeat to an Asian team since falling 0–1 to South Korea in 1999, twenty-six years ago.

Coming off a 5–0 thrashing of South Korea on October 10, many had even predicted another big win for Brazil. The team made eight changes from that lineup, while Japan, too, entered the match missing several key players. Captain Wataru Endo (32, Liverpool), Hidemasa Morita (30, Sporting), and Kaoru Mitoma (28, Brighton) were all absent due to injury or poor condition. On defense, Takehiro Tomiyasu (26, unattached), Kou Itakura (28, Ajax), and Hiroki Itō (26, Bayern) — usually Japan’s backbone at the back — were also unavailable.

Japan’s backline started anew, centered around Shogo Taniguchi (34, Sint-Truiden), alongside Junnosuke Suzuki (22, Copenhagen) and Tsuyoshi Watanabe (28, Feyenoord). From the outset, Brazil applied intense pressure and quickly scored two goals, making it seem like another easy victory akin to the Korea match.

But from there, Japan displayed astonishing resilience. While they relied mainly on a mid-block defensive setup in the first half, the team ramped up its high press from midfield in the second, increasing their coordination and regaining control of the game. Takumi Minamino (30, Monaco) sparked the comeback with a goal in the 52nd minute, followed by Keito Nakamura (25, Stade de Reims) in the 62nd, and Ayase Ueda (27, Feyenoord) sealing the turnaround in the 71st.

The historic victory sent Ajinomoto Stadium into a frenzy. It was the moment when Japan’s 19-minute counterattack sent shockwaves through the world of football.

Japanese football is eight years ahead of South Korea

After the match, Japan’s head coach Hajime Moriyasu praised the performance of his defenders.

“The three starting players today have less experience compared to our regular core members who are currently injured. Taniguchi has World Cup experience from Qatar, but the other two showed that difference at the beginning. Even so, in the second half, there were many one-on-one situations, and they played with great courage. I want to commend the players,” he said.

Japan’s historic victory sent shockwaves through neighboring South Korea. Having just suffered a crushing 0–5 defeat to Brazil on the 10th, Japan’s win came as a complete bolt from the blue. South Korean media outlets that quickly reported Japan’s triumph revealed both admiration and a sense of comparison in their headlines:

“Japan, unlike Korea, earns first-ever 3–2 comeback victory over Brazil” (Sports Kyunghyang)

“Japan proves itself as Asia’s strongest with a 3–2 comeback win over Brazil” (Korea Daily)

“Is this really happening against Brazil? ‘Miracle in Tokyo’ — first-ever win over Brazil in history” (Best Eleven)

On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), comments such as the following appeared:

“Even if it was Brazil’s 1.5-string team, Brazil is still Brazil. Japanese football is amazing!”

“Japanese football is at least eight years ahead of South Korea’s.”

“Japan beat Brazil? That really shows how bad Korea was.”

While there was a tendency to draw comparisons, the online reactions overflowed with a mix of genuine praise, astonishment — and a fair amount of jealousy — toward Japan’s remarkable achievement.

Doan and Kubo cannot be used together

With less than eight months remaining until the North and Central American World Cup kicks off on June 11 next year, only four friendly matches remain. Team building has entered its final stage — and from this match, Japan’s biggest takeaway was surely its defensive solidity.

Although the three defenders conceded two goals in the first half, they delivered a performance above passing grade against Brazil’s formidable attacking power. For Japan’s center-backs — long criticized for their lack of depth due to repeated injuries — this was an encouraging sign.

In midfield, Daichi Kamada (29, Crystal Palace) and Kaishu Sano (24, Mainz) controlled the tempo through tireless work and smart positioning. Even in the absence of the ever-reliable Wataru Endo and Hidemasa Morita, Japan’s forward momentum and coordinated pressing functioned well enough to wrest back control from Brazil — a positive sign that should not go unnoticed. It’s entirely possible that Kamada and Sano could now become the first-choice pairing going forward.

On the other hand, the key challenge remains the coexistence of the aces. The simultaneous use of Ritsu Doan (27, Frankfurt) and Takefusa Kubo (24, Real Sociedad) has long been an issue, with overlapping movement often cited as the problem. In this match too, there were several moments where their play areas clashed. In the second half, when Junya Ito (32, Genk) replaced Kubo, Japan’s vertical drive and crossing accuracy improved, with Ito providing two assists.

After the match, center forward Ayase Ueda reflected:

“In the first half, we couldn’t create many chances, but when Ito came on, his crosses were really good, and I felt the chances were gradually increasing. I was confident we could score.”

Coach Moriyasu may wish to field both of his star wingers, but once again, he was unable to find the optimal balance between them.

Even so, defeating Brazil outright was proof of how far the team has matured. Back in 1995, as a player, Moriyasu himself faced Brazil and suffered a 0–3 defeat — overwhelmed by a young Roberto Carlos and others, in a match that exposed the immense gap between Japan and the world.

Thirty years later, Japan has finally claimed victory over the once-unreachable opponent. For Moriyasu — and for Japanese football as a whole — it was a night that felt like the long-awaited answer to decades of effort.