Five-time FIFA World Cup champions Brazil secured their place in the round of 16 as group winners with seven points and will now face Japan in Houston. Ahead of the knockout tie, head coach Carlo Ancelotti stressed that his side must rely on “mind, heart and a clear idea” to sustain their World Cup campaign.Brazil endured a slow start to the tournament, drawing 1-1 against Morocco in their first game. However, the Seleção made an impressive comeback with back-to-back 3-0 wins over Haiti and Scotland. The seven points, combined with a goal difference of +6, ensured Brazil finished top of their group for the 12th consecutive FIFA World Cup, a streak dating back to the 1982 edition.Japan also went through to the round of 16 unbeaten. They opened their campaign with a 2-2 draw against the Netherlands, defeated Tunisia 4-0 and secured qualification after a 1-1 draw with Sweden.With both teams entering the knockout stages unbeaten, Ancelotti expects a demanding game and believes Brazil must be mentally and emotionally prepared for any possible scenario.“We need many things: our mind and our hearts,” Ancelotti told reporters at his pre-match press conference. “We have to be ready for everything that can happen in a knockout match because many things can happen, overtime, penalties. We have prepared for every scenario. I think the team is ready. It is motivated and full of confidence. We played well in the last two matches, so we are ready for whatever tomorrow brings,” he added. The Italian coach also reminded his players that there is no room for error from this stage onwards.“It’s not a two-legged knockout. It’s just one match,” Ancelotti said.“There is no going back. Brazil has intelligent players who understand that. We are a strong team that knows how to prepare for these kinds of games, and I am convinced that we can rise to the challenge,” Ancelotti said confidently. Brazil and Japan last met in a friendly last October, when the Asian side recovered from a two-goal deficit to win 3-2 in Tokyo.
