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| June 21, 2006 | Wednesday | Jumadi-ul-Awwal 24, 1427 |
Japan unafraid of Brazil: Zico
BONN, June 20: Japan coach Zico, whose side face an early World Cup exit, has said tournament favourites Brazil do not scare his side ahead of Thursday's Group F clash.The Asian champions must pull off an astonishing two-goal victory over the holders in Dortmund and hope Australia do not beat Croatia to have any chance of advancing.
But Zico, one of Brazil's all-time great players, struck a defiant tone after Japan's return to Bonn following Sunday's 0-0 draw with Croatia.
“We have played Brazil before and I don't think they're an opponent who particularly frighten us,” Zico told reporters on Monday. “We have to work out a way to beat them.”
Zico has repeatedly pointed to Japan's 2-2 draw with Brazil at last year's Confederations Cup as proof his side have a chance of achieving the near impossible in their final group game.
Even if Brazil rest key players after collecting six points in their first two games, however, the five-time world champions are unlikely to be gentle with Japan.
“It will be a very difficult game,” said Japan midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura with considerable understatement.
“But rather than just pulling nine men behind the ball and looking to catch them on the break, it's important to try to play our game and see where it gets us.”
Not very far is the likely scenario if Japan's 3-1 defeat by Australia and goalless draw with Croatia are anything to go by.
Zico may decide to drop striker Atsushi Yanagisawa, whose nightmare performance against Croatia included arguably the miss of the tournament, as he looks to strengthen his attack.
Japan's main threat has come from midfield where Nakamura and Hidetoshi Nakata have impressed.
“There will be changes in attack but I haven't decided who will start yet,” said Zico. “I want the forwards to start scoring a few goals. Otherwise we have no chance.”—Reuters
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