Brazil's Ronaldinho controls the ball during an official World Cup football practice session in Dortmund, Germany, yesterday in preparation for the Group F match against Japan today. - REUTERS
DORTMUND, GERMANY (AP)
BRAZIL EXPECTS AN easier time in its last Group F match today at 2:00 p.m., facing a Japan side that will have to come out attacking in order to stay alive at the World Cup.
Brazil has already secured a second-round berth, but Japan needs a victory in the match in Dortmund.
"Japan's obligation to win could make this game favourable to us," Brazil defender Roberto Carlos said yesterday. "We haven't been able to play our football because the opponents only think about marking and defending us, like Australia and Croatia did.
Brazil, seeking a record sixth world title, leads the group with six points, three more than Australia and five more than Japan and Croatia. The top two teams advance.
"If they do (come attacking), we will have more spaces," two-time FIFA World Player of the Year Ronaldinho said. "It will make the match more interesting."
Despite two wins, Brazil have failed to impress and have been heavily criticised. Ronaldinho and the rest of Brazil's "magic quartet" were kept in check and did not create many scoring opportunities.
"It's evident that we need to perform better, including Ronaldinho," Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said. "The team as a whole needs to improve, and that's what we expect."
Parreira, however, said he does not foresee an easy match against Japan, a team coached by former Brazilian great Zico.
"It's a team that should give us a hard time because of its tactical application," Parreira said. "Especially because of their velocity. We will need to be careful."
Parreira could field reserve players in today's match to give some starters a rest ahead of the next round. He did not indicate who might be left out.
A draw against Japan will secure Brazil a first-place finish in the group. It would then face the second-place team in Group E, which includes Italy, the United States, Ghana and the Czech Republic.
Brazil is unbeaten against Japan in seven matches. It has five wins and two draws, including a 2-2 result in the Confederations Cup in Germany last year.
TODAY'S GAMES
9:00 a.m.
Ghana vs. USA Czech vs. Italy
2:00 p.m.
Japan vs Brazil Croatia vs. Australia.
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