Ancelotti urges Brazil to build resilience following loss to Japan

Carlo Ancelotti, the coach, stated that Brazil suffered a mental breakdown during their 3-2 loss in the friendly against Japan on Tuesday and emphasised the importance of learning from errors ahead of the World Cup.

Brazil squandered a two-goal advantage as Japan mounted a strong comeback in the second half in Tokyo, leaving Ancelotti's squad unable to withstand the hosts' intense pressure.

An error in the Brazilian backline for Japan's opening goal triggered a collapse, with Ancelotti noting that his team lacked the resilience to recover.

"Brazil lacked the determination in the second half to halt Japan's resurgence," the Italian remarked.

"I understand precisely what occurred: the side fell apart mentally after that initial error.

"This represented the squad's most significant failing."

This marked Ancelotti's second loss since assuming control in May, after a 1-0 defeat away to Bolivia in World Cup qualifiers.

Brazil had arrived in Tokyo following a 5-0 victory over South Korea and delivered an impressive display in the first half.

Goals from Paulo Henrique and Gabriel Martinelli gave the five-time world champions a solid lead at the interval.

Japan responded fiercely post-break with strikes by Takumi Minamino, Keito Nakamura and Ayase Ueda, securing their nation's inaugural triumph over Brazil.

"We allowed our positive mindset and proactive approach to slip," Ancelotti commented.

"Those errors affected the team's performance."

Ancelotti aims to be the first non-native coach to claim the World Cup at next year's event across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

He promised to continue testing different formations and assured that personal slip-ups would not lead to exclusion from the team.

Ancelotti noted it was preferable to encounter such issues now rather than during the World Cup.

"We must absorb the lessons from our second-half lapses," he added.