'We won't go there' - Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti refuses to entertain Japan 'mind games' ahead of World Cup last-32 clash

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Carlo Ancelotti said he would not be drawn into "mind games" ahead of Brazil's World Cup last-32 clash with Japan. The pressure is on the five-time winners to progress, but Japan have impressed at the tournament so far.

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Brazil won their group ahead of Morocco, despite an unconvincing 1-1 draw against the disputed African champions in their opening game.

Japan, meanwhile, finished second behind the Netherlands in their group, but remained unbeaten throughout.

Hajime Moriyasu's side have now gone 10 games without losing, a run that stretches back to September.

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And striker Kento Shiogai, who has only played six minutes at the World Cup, suggested Japan will not be overawed by the challenge of beating Brazil.

"Brazil used to be a powerhouse, but now only France and Argentina are strong," Shiogai said. "I don't hear much about Brazil these days."

Asked about those comments, Ancelotti said: "I won't repeat what others say. We're focused on the match, on the opponent's qualities, on preparing well to avoid problems.

"That's what match preparation is about. We're not doing what they call in England 'mind games.' How do you say it in Portuguese? Mind games. We're not going there."

Defender Marquinhos, set to earn his 109th cap for Brazil, dismissed Shiogai's comments as "arrogance".

"It's good that they keep talking to motivate our team," he said. "We have been here in the United States for a month and with great humility we are working towards our goal.

"We leave such statements to our opponents. Maybe it was a little arrogance of him to think that Brazil is no longer a great team."

Brazil's attacking options certainly remain strong, with Vinicius Junior in fine form during the group stage.

Neymar, who missed the first two matches with a calf injury, also made his long-awaited return for the national team as a substitute in their 3-0 win over Scotland.

"Neymar has progressed very well. I think he improved a lot last week," Ancelotti said. "It's a shame he couldn't train the whole time he was with us.

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"He can play more than 15 minutes. He's in good shape. But it depends a lot on the game context and how things develop tomorrow."

On the challenge of Japan, Ancelotti added: "We need a lot of things: a strong mind, a strong heart, a clear mind.

"I think we have to be ready for anything that might take place in a knockout match, and a lot can happen in a knockout match. I think the team is ready. They're motivated, they're confident."

Marquinhos, meanwhile, claimed Brazil are growing in strength as the tournament progresses.

"There's always a lot of pride playing for the national team," he said. "But we were not coming together at first, [until] the adjustments that our coach made.

"He's an intelligent coach. He really knew how to improve the players. Everything has come together... we know that we have quality, we have a great head coach."

If Brazil beat Japan, they will face the winner of Cote d'Ivoire v Norway in the last 16.

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