Japan face Brazil as Rayan admits he hasn't done the homework

Brazil on Monday, and they don't know what's coming

The round of 16 is set. Japan face Brazil on Monday, and your team walked into the bracket with a 4–0 demolition of Tunisia and a 2–2 draw against the Netherlands (1). That group stage run put the football world on notice.

Zico, the former Japan manager, spelled it out: "Brazil need to be careful with the speed and movement of these guys, because they don't stop" (5).

Brazil's own winger Rayan admitted he has not studied Japan at all. "I have no idea" who the most dangerous Japanese player is, he told reporters (4) (6). That is not a joke, he was serious.

Kubo back in training with the ball

Takefusa Kubo returned to training with the ball and his chances of facing Brazil are rising (2). The timing could not be sharper. Itakura remains uncertain for Monday (2).

This comes after Graham Potter flagged the need to manage minutes in a compressed schedule. Midfielder Sano Kaishu said resting players was about recovery, with only three days between fixtures.

Ayase Ueda has the world watching

Ueda scored twice against Tunisia and became the first Japanese player ever to net a double at a World Cup. He finished the Eredivisie season as top scorer, and now clubs in the Bundesliga and Premier League are circling.

Brazil have not done their homework. Japan have done nothing but.

Jonathan Wilson: Japan can break the old order

The Guardian's Jonathan Wilson put Japan and Morocco in the same sentence this week, two nations trying to tear up the old World Cup script (3). The bracket is open. A win over Brazil would send your team into a quarterfinal against either Norway or Ivory Coast.

Fan reactions

The mood is electric. Fans are pointing to Rayan's press conference as a gift, Brazil walking in blind against a Japan side that has been clinical, fast, and fearless. There is real belief that Monday is not a free hit but a genuine opportunity. See what supporters are saying on r/JLeague.