Brazil’s veteran midfielder Casemiro revealed staying calm and patient was key to his team’s thrilling 2-1 win against Japan in the ongoing FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium on Monday. After Kaishū Sano scored in the 29th minute for Japan, Brazil’s hopes of qualifying for the round of 16 were hanging on a thin thread.
Casemiro was the culprit in conceding the first goal as he could not keep a check on Sano but the former Real Madrid and Manchester United midfielder delivered a goal in the 56th minute to help his team equalise.
In the stoppage time, Gabriel Martinelli scored for the five-time champions to knock out Japan and help his team seal a round of 16 spot.
“The victory was about our calm and our patience in pressuring and pressuring a team playing a low block,” Casemiro said as quoted by ESPN. “This was the most important aspect — believing that calm would see a time when we would score.
“We were fighting all game and had possession so we knew we would get chances. Japan are really organized in defense, but we were really good in the second half and won the match.
“I am so happy,” he said. “So many people celebrating this. I am so proud and we are moving forward.
“We look forward to the round of 16, but right now, we have to rest and think we have four matches to go.”
Meanwhile, Casemiro and Lucas Paquetá failed to complete the game due to injuries suffered during the win.
“We’ll have to see tomorrow,” Ancelotti said. “It was a very demanding match.”
Martinelli scored his fourth goal for Brazil and admitted it was an emotional moment for him.
“I don’t even have the words to describe the joy in my heart at seeing the Brazilian people so happy about our qualification,” Martinelli told Caze TV.
“My family, my wife, my parents, my friends — I can’t even begin to explain what I’m feeling right now.
“I think it’ll take a while for it to really sink in,” he said. “The other day, I hit the post. I knew I’d get another chance, and thank God I managed to score the goal that secured our qualification.
“I’m very happy with everyone’s performance — they all gave it their all.”
Brazil will face either Ivory Coast or Norway in the round of 16 on Sunday.
