Japan boss Haijime Moriyasu hailed his battling Bhoys as the Blue Samurai almost kept Brazil at bay.
Kyogo Furuhashi and Daizen Maeda both featured for their national side as the Samba Stars required a late penalty in the 1-0 friend win in Tokyo.
Kyogo played 65 minutes through the middle for Japan and caused plenty of problems – before being replaced by his Celtic teammate for the remainder of the match.
Moriyasu’s men frustrated the South Americans for long spells but eventually went down to Everton ace Richarlison’s second half spot kick.
The Japan gaffer was thrilled with his side’s fighting spirit though with Kyogo and Maeda pitting their wits against Neymar and co as part of their preparations for the World Cup – where they will meet Spain and Germany in the group stage.
Moriyasu said: “We fought well, the players stuck at it and they never forgot to go for goal or attack.
“It’s a great pity we couldn’t get the result.
“The players never gave up, they kept on repeating the important things over and over,” he said.
“After weathering very heavy pressure in the first half, we managed to develop our own shape in the second.
“If we hadn’t stuck at it like that, we could have been swept away.”
Brazil battered South Korea 5-1 last week but found it tough going against Japan – with boss Tite snapping back at suggestions of a bust up in the camp beforehand between match winner Richarlison and Real Madrid ace Vinicius Junior.
The pair were pictured squaring up in training but the gaffer said: “There is a lot of fake news in the world, and people reporting that the players were fighting are telling lies.”
Tite was satisfied with the Japan run out though as his men gear up for the World Cup.
“It was a very high-level game, both teams showed their quality and it was very competitive.
“I said this would be a game played at the same level as the World Cup, especially when it comes to mentality. We were determined to score and we kept looking for a goal, and that’s what got us the win.”
Brazil assistant manager Cesar Sampaio said: “Korea are more physical and have more movement than Japan, and Japan are very technical and good in defence.
“Moriyasu has built a very good mechanism for his team. They hadn’t lost for eight games so he is doing a great job.”
