JOHANNESBURG (AP)

Brazil is expecting a hard time in the Confederations Cup semi-final match against a fully motivated South Africa.

The Brazilians know they are entering the match as the favourites, but they also know they will have to be extra careful against a team that is playing at home and has nothing to lose.

"They have no responsibility to win. If they lose to Brazil, it's a normal result," striker Luis Fabiano said yesterday. "And if they win, it's going to be a holiday in South Africa. They have no pressure."

South Africa avoided disappointment after barely advancing from the group stage of the World Cup warm-up tournament, but now much of the pressure is off, and a victory against the five-time world champions is likely to be considered a bonus instead of an obligation.

avoid an upset

Brazil has to avoid an upset tomorrow at Ellis Park to keep alive their hopes of winning a second consecutive Confederations Cup title, and possibly secure a much-anticipated final against Spain, which plays as the favourite in the other semi-final match against the United States today in Bloemfontein.

Brazil is also worried about the advantage the South Africans may have because of coach Joel Santana, a Brazilian who understands the country's football very well.

Santana and the South African players have been saying they want to repeat the example of Egypt, which played well against Brazil in a last-minute loss in the teams' opener and then beat Italy 1-0.

It will be only the third match between Brazil and South Africa. The teams played two friendlies in Johannesburg, with Brazil coming out victorious 3-2 in 1996 and 2-1 in 1997.