Japan v Brazil - Preview

No time for sentiment as Brazil take on Zico's Japan

Brazilian head coach Carlos Alberto Parreira (L) chats with assistant Mario Zagallo (R) at the start their opening round Group F World Cup football match against Australia at Munich's World Cup Stadium, 18 June 2006. AFP PHOTO / ANTONIO SCORZA

Despite having already reached the last 16, Brazil will show no mercy for struggling Japan in their World Cup clash on Thursday even though they are coached by Zico, one of the South American country's favourite sons.

Brazil Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said the five-time champions are only getting to grips with the demands of the event and there should be no sentimental attachment to their final Group F match in Dortmund.

"We played better than we did against Croatia and we will play even better in the next one," Parreira said after Brazil beat Australia 2-0 on Monday to qualify for the knockout stages.

Zico, the former star of three Brazilian World Cup campaigns, is shaking up the formula up front to get the goals his side need to have any chance of reaching the knock-out stages for the second straight World Cup.

Brazilian coach of the Japanese team Zico during the World Cup 2006 group F football match Japan vs Croatia, 18 June 2006 at Nuremberg stadium. AFP PHOTO / TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA

"We are not confronting an awful monster," Zico said. "They are a strong team. But, as professionals representing Japan, we must never give up as long as there is the slightest of chances."

Japan lost to Australia 3-1 and shared a goalless draw with Croatia.

Both Japan and Croatia trail two points behind Australia. To clinch the last of the group's two second-round berths, Japan must beat Brazil by a margin of two goals, provided that Croatia defeats Australia by no more than one goal.

Brazil's galaxy of stars, including Ronaldo, Adriano and Ronaldinho, have so far failed to sparkle with Kaka salvaging a 1-0 draw over Croatia in their opener.

Parreira said he might rest injured and yellow-carded players from the game against the three-time Asian Cup winners.

Midfielder Gilberto Silva and defender Cicinho were seen likely to make the starting line-up.

Brazilian forward Ronaldo (R) is substituted in the second half against Australia in their opening round Group F World Cup football match at Munich's World Cup Stadium, 18 June 2006. Brazil won 2-0. AFP PHOTO / ANTONIO SCORZA

In Tuesday's training, Gilberto Silva linked up in midfield with Kaka and Juninho with Ronaldinho. The Arsenal player could come in for either Ze Roberto or Emerson who has a yellow card.

Cicinho, impressive at the Confederations Cup last year, could fill in for cautioned skipper Cafu.

But the coach said he would start Real Madrid superstar Ronaldo as "he needs to get his rhythm" although he is "not ready for 90 minutes."

Zico said he would try to boost Japan's infamous lack of firepower up front as his squad focused on shooting in the Tuesday evening session with frustrated Japanese supporters booing at missed shots.

Teams

Japan

Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi, Hidetoshi Nakata, Mitsuo Ogasawara, Shunsuke Nakamura, Seiichiro Maki, Alessandro Santos, Junichi Inamoto, Keisuke Tsuboi, Keiji Tamada, Akira Kaji, Yuji Nakazawa (capt). Coach: Zico

Brazil

Dida (capt), Lucio, Juan, Kaka, Cicinho, Gilberto, Gilberto Silva, Juninho Pernambucano, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Robinho. Coach: Carlos Alberto Parreira

Referee

Eric Poulat (FRA)