Brazil beat Japan 2-0 in football friendly

TOKYO, MARCH 31: Four-time World Cup winners Brazil crushed any hopes of Japan securing their first-ever win over the visitors by scoring...

TOKYO, MARCH 31: Four-time World Cup winners Brazil crushed any hopes of Japan securing their first-ever win over the visitors by scoring a convincing 2-0 victory in a football match today.

The Brazilians, who lost to the 2002 World Cup co-hosts South Korea in a shock result three days ago, were determined to beat the other co-hosts.

Their front line seized on a mistake in Japanese passing in the 12th minute with Italian Udinese forward Amoroso betting two defenders to hit an angled shot just inside the area for Brazil’s first goal.

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Only three minutes into the second half, the visitors made it 2-0 when German Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Emerson dived for a header into the left corner on Rivaldo’s right corner.

The Japanese had several chances to score, but Masashi Nakayama’s 22-minute header on a Hidetoshi Nakata pass just went wide, while Shoji Jo’s header was saved by keeper Rogerio Ceni in the 40th.

It was the fifth straight win for Brazil in matches between the first national teams of the two countries. The Brazilians have surrendered only one goal to Japan in their five encounters.