Neymar converts one penalty, misses another in Brazil stroll

Paris : Brazil forward Neymar converted one penalty and missed another five minutes later in a comfortable 3-1 friendly win over Japan yesterday. Brazil’s 13th victory in 16 games since Tite took charge as coach in June, 2016 also featured a thundering effort by Marcelo and close-range goal by Gabriel Jesus at Lille’s Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

It was the first time Brazil had been involved in a match featuring experimental video replay technology (VAR) and the five-times world champions were quickly on the right end of a decision. Brazil midfielder Fernandinho was held back by Maya Yoshida and, although play continued, the referee called for the video replay as soon as the ball went out of play and pointed to the spot after a short wait.

Neymar strode up, paused and waited for goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima to dive to his right before nonchalantly stroking his shot into the opposite corner.

Four minutes later, Brazil were awarded another penalty for a foul on Gabriel Jesus, without the VAR, but this time Neymar chose the other corner and his shot was saved by Kawashima whose decision to go the same way as before paid off.

Japan’s relief was short-lived, however, as a poor clearance fell invitingly into the path of Marcelo who met it with a rasping drive into the corner in the 17th minute.

Yoshida thumped a free kick against the crossbar for Japan but Brazil looked dangerous with every attack and went further ahead in the 35th minute. Willian released Danilo on the right and his pinpoint cross was tapped in by Jesus at the far post.

Brazil eased up and Tomoaki Makino headed in from a corner in the 63rd minute to make the score more respectable for Japan. Kenyu Sugimoto had another effort in the net for Japan late in the game but it was offside.