Marquinhos urges Brazil to be wary of Japan threat as 'new tournament begins'

Brazil's Marquinhos

Brazil defender Marquinhos spoke ahead of their round of 32 match against Japan, as he labelled the Samurai Blue 'a team of great quality'.

At the press conference on the eve of Brazil vs Japan, defender Marquinhos appeared. When asked how much Brazil has changed since the defeat against Japan in the October friendly, he replied: "I think it was a learning experience for all of us. Everything we've gone through in recent years, up to this World Cup, has served as a lesson and a test for us."

"The coach was able to understand what hadn't worked and, as for me, watching a Brazil match from the outside is always very tough, because you want to be on the pitch helping your teammates."

He continued: "That match, however, taught us a lot. Since then, we've grown a lot as a team, and we've shown it in the last matches of this World Cup. Today the situation is completely different: we're in the round of 32, and a new competition begins."

On the opponents: "We've analysed Japan in recent days, and we know they're a team of great quality. We've prepared a strategy to try to limit their strengths and make the most of our own qualities."

Present and future: "The group stage is now behind us. Securing qualification and finishing first was our main goal, but from tomorrow a new tournament begins. In the knockout matches, the details will make the difference and we want to give our best on the pitch to play a great game."