Ancelotti Blames Referee: Defeat to Japan and Red Card

Brazil lost 3-2 to Japan in a friendly in Singapore. Japan led 2-0 within the first 20 minutes thanks to goals from Takefusa Kubo and Keito Nakamura. Vinícius Júnior scored twice to make it 2-2. Endrick's shot that rebounded off the crossbar did not change the score.

Japan found the winning goal in the final moments of the match. Brazil believed João Gomes had been fouled before the goal. Carlo Ancelotti ran onto the pitch to protest and was sent off with a red card by the Singaporean referee Jansen Foo Chuan Hui. Raphinha also received a red card for protesting from the substitutes' bench. The referee said the reason was that Ancelotti could not control his bench while the substitutes were on the field.

Ancelotti said the result was influenced by the referee. The coach said the referee could not control the match and did not have the experience to handle a game at this level. However, he added that he did not see the referee as the only one to blame. CBF National Teams Director Rodrigo Caetano also criticized the referee appointment. In away friendlies, FIFA selects the referee at the request of the home federation, and in this match the request came from Japan.

Ancelotti admitted that his team started the match poorly. He argued that they played better after the 20th minute and deserved to win. Following this match, which was Japan's second win over Brazil, Ancelotti and Raphinha will not take part in Tuesday's match against Singapore, which will be played at the same stadium.