Carlo Ancelotti said referee Jansen Foo Chuan Hui “lacked the experience” to oversee Brazil’s meeting with Japan in Singapore after the Selecao head coach and Raphinha were sent off for protesting their rivals’ 91st-minute winner.
Takefusa Kubo and Keito Nakamura. they scored within five minutes of each other to put Japan on course to avenge their last-16 defeat at the 2026 World Cup, but Vinicius Junior scored either side of the break, including a long-range equaliser, before Coventry City winger Tatsuhiro Sakamura believed he had scored a decisive effort there. it was a foul during the preparation.
“He gave me the red card because he told me that he was not able to control the bench as the players were on the pitch,” Ancelotti said, via balloon.
“That was the reason. Apart from the result, we played the way we wanted, with intensity. The Japanese were dangerous on the counter-attack. We ended up more exposed, trying to press high.”
Japan vs Brazil: Raphinha apologizes for red card
The top scorer in the League, Raphinha, described the referee’s demonstration as “unacceptable”. “I want to take this opportunity to apologize for my behavior and for being sent off,” said the Barcelona forward.
“But sometimes it’s hard for me to control myself after, in my opinion, so many mistakes by the referee during the game. I think he made mistakes at many times in the game. But man, it’s unacceptable.”
Endrick also hit the woodwork for Brazil. “Some fouls have been called for them, but not for us,” said midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.
“(The ref) let the game go on at times that had nothing to do with it. What he was doing made no sense.”
“I don’t want to talk about the refereeing, I want to talk about us. It was a foul by Joao (Gomes) but I won’t go into the refereeing.”
Ancelotti: Brazil “showed quality” against Japan
“The analysis of the match is that we started well,” reflected Ancelotti. “The team was well balanced, we lost two duels and the team went down a bit, took a break.
“We scored two goals, the team reacted well, we played well… with intensity, with rhythm. We could have won the game.
“It’s a shame the result. I don’t like to lose, but we have to look at what we did well. There are players who arrived for the first time and showed quality.”
“The result was influenced by the referee’s attitude. It’s a high-level game and he doesn’t have the experience to manage this type of game.”
Bruno Guimaraes: Brazil’s result “upsetting”
Bruno Guimaraes also found reasons to cheer. “We worked hard for (the draw) and we couldn’t let ourselves get away,” said Arsenal’s new signing.
“We wanted to win, but (in the end we would have been satisfied) the score ended 2-2. We played better than them in the second half.
“The result is bad and losing in this shirt is very distressing. We have to emphasize that we are a team in transition.
“Japan had 16 players from the World Cup, we had six. It’s a new team that will fluctuate a lot and needs to develop its experience.
“It was a controversial goal. We are not satisfied and there is a lot to improve.”