The Santos forward was seen warming up in the second half in front of the Houston crowd, raising expectations of an imminent introduction as Brazil searched for a breakthrough against a disciplined Japanese side.
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However, Ancelotti ultimately chose not to bring him on, a decision he clarified after the final whistle.
“We were waiting for Neymar for extra time. I spoke with him, he would have come in in the 60th or 65th minute. We equalised the game, and I didn't want to change the structure because the team had control of the game," he told media.
"We have a lot of options, on the bench and on the pitch. Japan are not an easy team. They’re an organised side, very intense. The fact that we deserved to win is very important."