Brazil thrash Japan in a friendly match

Posted on October 17, 2012 by SoccerPunter

World Cup 2014 hosts Brazil beat reigning Asian champions Japan 4-0 in an international friendly on Tuesday with two goals from Neymar and one each from Paulinho and Kaka.

Corinthians midfielder Paulinho beat Japan’s keeper Eiji Kawashima 12 minutes into the game with a low shot from 20 metres.

Santos striker Neymar then put Brazil two goals ahead in the 26th minute, blasting home a penalty awarded after Yasuyuki Konno took down Kaka in the box.

He added another goal just after the break with a weak shot deflected into the net by the Japanese defence.

And Kaka made it 4-0 in the 76th minute, bearing down on Kawashima before unleashing a left-foot shot.

Kaka, Real Madrid’s star midfielder, was playing only his second international since Brazil‘s 2-1 quarter-final loss to the Netherlands at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa – having netted last week on his comeback against Iraq.

Brazil, the 2014 World Cup hosts, created more chances in the first half but Paulinho narrowly missed the goal and Kaka sent his shot against the post.

The Auriverde were missing injured defenders Dani Alves and Marcelo, but defence was rarely an issue for them.

Japan, four-time Asian champions, had the first shot on goal, but a low effort from CSKA Moscow midfielder Keisuke Honda was stopped by Brazil keeper Diego Alves.

Early in the second half, Honda saw his shot deflected by the defence while Manchester United striker Shinji Kagawa blasted his shot over the crossbar.

Neymar’s acrobatic effort then missed the target and St Petersburg’s Brazilian striker Hulk hit the wall with a left-foot free kick, the ball deflecting onto the post.

Lucas, who is due to join big spenders Paris St Germain in January, missed the target narrowly after a superb run in stoppage time.

Both teams came to Wroclaw — a city that hosted group-stage games at Euro 2012 in June — following wins in friendlies last week.

Brazil crushed Iraq 6-0 in Malmo, Sweden, last Thursday, while Japan stunned France 1-0 in Paris last week friendly matches.

Brazil have already qualified to the 2014 World Cup as hosts, while Japan are aiming for a fifth straight World Cup since their debut at France 1998.

The Blue Samurai, who are leading Asian Group B with 10 points from three wins and one draw, will play their next qualifier away to Oman on November 14.

The loss in Wroclaw, about 300 kilometres (190 miles) southwest of the Polish capital Warsaw, leaves Japan dreaming of their first-ever victory over Brazil at full international level.