World Cup favorites battle for Confed Cup

Brazil and Argentina may have stumbled along the way but they eventually lived up to their star billing by making it through to today's Confederations Cup final.

This dream match-up between the South American footballing superpowers is seen by many as a potential dress rehearsal for the World Cup final in Germany next year.

Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, who singled out Juan Roman Riquelme and Juan Pablo Sorin as Argentina's dangermen, acknowledged: "This final brings together the two favorites for the World Cup."

He watched Argentina's at times strong-armed win over Mexico in Sunday's semifinal and insisted Brazil were up for anything the Argentines threw at them.

"Brazil cannot be intimidated. We must concentrate on playing football because, although Argentina has a very good team, Brazil are not afraid of a tough match.

"Because of the historical rivalry there are no friendly games between Brazil and Argentina," said Parreira, in his third spell as the national coach.

Ronaldinho, who burst onto the scene at the 1999 Confederations Cup where Brazil where stunned 4-3 in the final by Mexico, concurred.

"We are eternal rivals so this is a final that motivates us a lot," Barcelona's World Footballer of the Year said.

Today's mouth-watering final offers Brazil a chance for quick revenge after the world champion's 3-1 mauling by Jose Pekerman's side in this month's World Cup qualifier.

Brazil's Confederations Cup campaign started brightly against Greece but then came that shock 1-0 defeat to Mexico which meant a do-or-die clash in their final group game against Japan.

Goals from Robinho and Ronaldinho put them through as Group B runners-up.

Argentina in contrast sailed through the group stages, with wins against Tunisia, Australia and a draw with Germany.

But the two-time World Cup winners almost came to grief in the semifinals against Mexico when only Luciano Figueroa's 110th minute equalizer set up a penalty shoot-out where they prevailed 6-5.

Argentina face the reigning world champions without striker Javier Saviola, suspended after being sent off against Mexico. The Monaco player's place is due to be filled by Real Zaragoza's Luciano Galletti.

With Brazil having beaten Germany on Saturday, Argentina have had one day less to prepare for the final, and they also had to endure 30 minutes of stamina-sapping extra time in Sunday's semifinal, but Pekerman shrugged off fatigue as a factor.

"My team are young and ambitious, we'll be ready," he said.

The countries have met 92 times before, with the score changing depending on which camp you talk to.

Brazil reckon it stands at 33 wins apiece with 26 draws, Argentina disagree, claiming they hold the advantage with 37 wins against 33 defeats and 22 draws.