Brazil's 19-Year-Old Star Rayan Has NO IDEA About Japan, And It Could Cost Them Everything

Okay, hold up. You're telling me a 19-year-old Brazil star, Rayan, just admitted he has *zero clue* who Japan's best player is? Like, literally said he'd need to watch video to figure it out? Ahead of their World Cup Round of 32 clash on Monday afternoon in Houston? My dude, that's either ice-cold confidence or a massive red flag, especially after Japan already stunned the Selecao in a 3-2 friendly last October. This knockout game? It's gonna be wild.

The Underdog Who Already Shocked Them

Remember that friendly in Tokyo last October? Brazil was up two goals at halftime, thinking they had it in the bag. Then Japan stormed back, scoring three unanswered to snatch a 3-2 victory. Who got the go-ahead goal in that upset? None other than Ayase Ueda, the Feyenoord striker who boasts 18 goals for his national team. He's tied with Daichi Kamada for the team lead with two goals apiece in the group stage. So, Rayan, maybe start with those guys when you "watch the video." Unfortunately for Japan, their star forward Takefusa Kubo, nicknamed "the Japanese Messi," is out. He suffered a meniscus tear in their opener against the Netherlands and was officially ruled out for this Brazil clash on Sunday. Despite that huge blow and finishing second to the Netherlands in Group F with a win over Tunisia and two draws, coach Hajime Moriyasu isn't backing down. He said Sunday, "Some people will say Japan are underdogs. We will play with that in mind... like last year (in the friendly win) we weren't given a cha

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nce to win. This possibility to win, we can change history." Japan has made the knockouts three straight World Cups and four of the past five, but they've never advanced past the Round of 16. This is their shot.

Brazil's Juggernaut Needs "Real Grit"

Brazil, on the other hand, rolled through Group C after an opening draw against Morocco, then crushed Haiti and Scotland 3-0 each. Their scoring has been all about Vinicius Junior, who's bagged four goals, and Matheus Cunha, with three. Bruno Guimaraes has been dishing out dimes, racking up three assists. Oh, and Neymar? He's back in the mix! After rehabbing a calf injury suffered on May 17, he made his first appearance Wednesday, subbing on for the last 15 minutes against Scotland. You know he loves playing Japan, too, scoring his first goal against them in 2013 and pouring in four in a friendly the following year. Coach Carlo Ancelotti isn't letting his squad get complacent though. After the Scotland match, he kept it real: "We're not perfect. We can improve. For example, our pace on the ball. We can be quicker... Now it's a knockout competition. We need to show real grit." The Selecao faithful are hoping Ancelotti can guide them to their record sixth World Cup win, and their first since 2002. This Monday afternoon showdown in Houston is everything. Can Japan, even without Kubo, pull off another stunner against a Brazil team that admits it isn't "perfect" and has a young star seemingly overlooking them? Or will Brazil's firepower, now with Neymar back, finally get them over the hump for that elusive sixth star? You won't want to miss it.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.