Maeda vows to leave Qatar proud after Brazil's late strike

Brazil's stoppage‑time winner sealed a 2‑1 defeat for Japan in the World Cup round of 16, ending the Asian side's campaign in the United States and prompting forward Daizen Maeda to apologise for the loss in front of a global audience.

Maeda entered his third of four tournament matches as Japan faced Brazil, having previously netted in the 1‑1 draw with Sweden that secured the group stage. The forward, 28, was praised for his world‑class pressing by former Celtic manager and TV pundit Ange Postecoglu. Postecoglu highlighted Maeda's intensity as a key factor in Japan's tactical setup.

In the knockout encounter, Maeda said Japan fought a great game but the opponent was strong. He added that Japan spent a lot of time defending against Brazil's skill and power. The Japanese side ultimately could not prevent the stoppage‑time strike that decided the match.

After the final whistle, Maeda apologised for the defeat, expressing that the team still has a long way to go. He affirmed his intention to return to Japan with his head held high despite the loss. Maeda also thanked the fans who travelled to the stadium and those who stayed up late in Japan to watch the game.

The 2‑1 result eliminates Japan from the World Cup, concluding their campaign in the United States. Maeda reflected on the three and a half years of building the squad since the Qatar World Cup, alongside players, staff, family and supporters. He said he is proud of what they have achieved together, even as the tournament ends.