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Japan-Brazil clash: Japan manager Aguirre says he will try to stop Brazil

Can Japan beat Brazil in tomorrow's clash at the National Stadium?

Japan boss Javier Aguirre said the team is certainly going to try, despite not having won once in 10 meetings with the five-time world champions.

He hit back on Monday at claims his team lack passion as the Blue Samurai plot to become the first side to score against Dunga’s new-look Brazil. 

The reigning Asian champions have yet to catch fire and they needed a Nyron Nosworthy own goal to beat Jamaica last week for their first win in three games under the Mexican. 

““If you’re saying we didn’t play well, maybe we can argue about that. But whether we had passion or not, there’s no question," Aguirre told reporters today at the National Stadium. 

'It's going to be a tough match'

Aguirre said he would change six players for the game against Neymar-led Brazil as he hurries to form his squad for Japan’s Asian Cup defence in January.

He did not specify which players he would change but he is already missing Shinji Kagawa, who suffered a head injury against Jamaica on Friday. 


Japan's coach Javier Aguirre (center) speaks to his players during a training session at the National Stadium. PHOTO: Reuters

While Japan have also lost to Uruguay and drawn with Venezuela under Aguirre, resurgent Brazil have yet to concede a goal in their three wins since Dunga took charge post-World Cup.

“Brazil have had three wins and it’s going to be a tough match, especially as they haven’t let in a goal yet. So in tomorrow’s game we would like to stop that,”  Aguirre said. 

Still, while he plots to beat Brazil, he echoed Brazil coach Dunga's concerns about the state of the pitch at the National Stadium.

“It’s quite sandy so it may be a bit difficult to show the best performance,” said Aguirre.

- AFP

Related report: Dunga wary of Brazil injuries on sandy National Stadium pitch

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