Brazil forward Marta (#10), who also play for the Orlando Pride in the NWSL, maneuvers the ball on the first day of the 2023 SheBelieves Cup in Brazil's match against Japan at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida Thursday, February 16, 2023. Photo: Harry Castiblanco/Florida National News.
ORLANDO, FL. (FNN) — Brazil took a narrow 1-0 victory over Japan in the first game of the SheBelieves Cup 2023. Orlando Pride’s Adriana and Marta featured for their national team as Brazil uncorks their football in preparation for the 2023 season.
Brazil vs. Japan kicked off the eighth edition of the SheBelieves Cup in Orlando’s very own Exploria Stadium. The first half started off with fireworks both on and off the pitch, with Brazil putting on the flair in close quarters. Not to be outdone, Japan found their momentum in the later stages of the first half with some excellent through-ball plays. The closest moment of the first half came from Brazil’s Geyse who caught the one-on-one with Japan’s Tanaka. Tanaka was resilient enough to get a foot onto the ball and parry it out of harm’s way.
The emphasis of play on the wing was a source of strength for Japan. As Brazil dominated the run of play inside the box with their domineering center backs, Japan opted to facilitate their football through different avenues. In the 60th minute, Brazil’s substitute Nicole Raysla took a venomous shot in the box that was once again put to the side by Tanaka. Her efforts were rewarded again with a double save as Brazil found another connection in the box via corner kick. With tired legs starting to become a factor, Japan started to take control as they shifted into a 5-2-3 formation that cutoff the field for Brazil.
Rolling with the punches
With their final substitutions of the game, Brazil changed the fabric of the game once Orlando Pride’s Marta found her way onto the pitch. The hometown crowd riddled with Brazilian fans and Orlando natives gave her a raucous welcome onto the pitch as she was subbed in and given the captains armband. Within five minutes of her inclusion, she found the difference maker for her team as Marta whipped in a cross that found Debinha in stride. Make no mistake, Kansas City Current’s unstoppable number nine put the chance to bed as Brazil made the lone goal of the night.
Despite the deficit Japan weren’t deterred from their objective and kept putting on pressure against Brazil. Japan’s Maika Hamano came off the bench to provide a much-needed spark. The 18-year-old prospect on loan from Chelsea kept a cool head as she bounced a shot off the crossbar. Just before that she bullied Brazil’s Rafaelle Souza off the ball to deliver a cross into the area that almost found the net.
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Nicolas Vera is a reporter for Florida National News, part of the FNN News Network. | info@floridanationalnews.com