SINGAPORE -- It may simply be a friendly on paper but, when Japan take on Brazil at Singapore's National Stadium on Saturday, there will still be plenty for the Samurai Blue to play for.
The obvious narrative that springs to mind is to chance to exact revenge on the Brazilians, following Japan's loss in the round of 32 at the FIFA World Cup earlier this year -- when they were on course to pull off a massive upset as they led at halftime, only for a tentative approach in the second 45 leading to a 2-1 defeat that was only sealed by a goal heartbreakingly conceded in the 95th minute.
Defeating Brazil in Saturday's 'rematch' will not change anything about their World Cup disappointment back in the summer -- where they were viewed as a genuine outside chance to be champions, and were consistently bullish about their prospects of going all the way.
But another victory against top-tier opposition will once again show how far they have come under coach Hajime Moriyasu, and would be the perfect way for them to send him off as he prepares to end his eight-year stint at the helm.
Moriyasu's impending departure was flagged way back in July -- shortly after their World Cup campaign -- when it was announced that he would depart from his role after the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, with Gō Ōiwa -- currently in charge of Japan's Under-23s -- named as his successor.
With the Asian Cup since postponed to the end of the year due to regional security concerns, it is almost certain that Moriyasu's tenure will not be extend -- with Kyodo News reporting last week that a senior Japan Football Association had confirmed this will be the case.
Nonetheless, Japan defender Yukinari Sugawara -- speaking after Japan's first training session in Singapore on Tuesday ahead of the meeting with Brazil -- revealed that no final decision had yet been communicated to the players, although it is indeed expected that this international window -- which includes a second game in Singapore against Paraguay next week -- will be the end of Moriyasu's reign.
"It's always sad -- to see he will leave," Sugawara told ESPN. "I don't know [for sure].
"I think the association has not decided anything yet so we have to see the situation, but we can guess these two games will be the last games for him.
"We have to think about it and do something special."
Of course, when Moriyasu's time in charge does officially end, it will naturally lead to discussion surrounding whether or not he leaves the Samurai Blue in a better place.
He ultimately failed to lead Japan to a historic World Cup quarterfinal appearance from two attempts, with this year's campaign not helped by the expansion of the tournament and the addition of an extra last-32 stage in the knockout round.
The Samurai Blue also continue to wait for a first continental crown since 2011 - a remarkably long period considering they are widely regarded as Asia's best team.
Moriyasu presided over a final defeat at the hands of Qatar at the 2019 Asian Cup, before the 2023 edition saw them suffer a disappointing quarterfinal exit -- albeit against formidable opposition in the form of Iran.
His detractors will also highlight that he still tends to be conservative despite all the talent at his disposal.
Back at the 2022 World Cup, impressive wins over Germany and Spain -- which were understandably achieved through counterattacking means -- sandwiched a shock loss to Costa Rica, the one match where they loomed as the favourites yet chose to sit back and were eventually hit by a sucker punch.
At this year's edition, after a creditable 2-2 draw with Netherlands was followed by an emphatic 4-0 victory over Tunisia, Japan almost seemed satisfied to hold on to the 1-1 draw against Sweden which ultimately led to them finishing as Group F runners-up and having to face Brazil in the round of 32 -- although it must be noted that the Dutch, who finished top, also ventured no further and that their conquerors Morocco actually made it further than the Brazilians.
Still, there remains the fact that Japan have risen almost 40 spots in the FIFA world rankings in Moriyasu's time in charge.
A first-ever win against Brazil last October was followed by a breakthrough victory over fellow powerhouses England back in March -- which was also the first time the Three Lions had ever lost to Asian opposition.
There was also a resounding 4-1 away win over Germany back in 2023 that was the first real evidence that the Samurai Blue could now match it with the best teams in the world.
"It's been eight years [since Moriyasu took charge]," Sugawara added.
"It's quite long and what he did was really amazing because our FIFA [ranking] when he came here was 60th or something [55th] but now we are 18th [17th].
"The process was really great so we have to appreciate him and we have to win the games for him."
Moriyasu's time in charge of Japan is definitely coming to an end. Even if the JFA do a last-minute backflip and keep him in charge until next December's Asian Cup, every match now is simply part of the final set of his farewell tour.
It is almost certain that he will leave the job without a major piece of silverware but perhaps that is not meant to be his legacy.
His legacy could perhaps be showing that Japan can consistently match it, and even prevail, against the best teams in the world.
The Samurai Blue have one more chance to show that in Singapore on Saturday.