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Brazil v JapanJapan coach Zico has told his players to have no fears when taking on mighty Brazil in their make-or-break match in Dortmund today.
"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."
PHOTO: AP
"We have to be more optimistic in the way we think," he told reporters on Tuesday on the eve of Japan's departure from their training base here for their final Group F match.
A star of three Brazilian World Cup campaigns, Zico recalled that Brazil lost to unfancied Norway at France 1998 in their last group match after having secured a spot in the second round.
"They lost because they let up after reaching the second round," said Zico, who was a technical advisor to Brazil's World Cup squad in 1998.
He also recalled that the three-time Asian champions battled to a 2-2 draw with Brazil in the first round of the Confederations Cup in Germany last year.
Zico said Japan would have won the match were it not for an incorrect offside call which denied Japan a third goal.
Brazil have already qualified for the second round by beating Croatia 1-0 and Australia 2-0.
Japan, who lost to Australia 3-1 and drew 0-0 with Croatia, need to beat Brazil to have any hope of finishing second in the group and qualifying for the last 16.
Zico has refused to reveal his starting line-up against Brazil, amid speculation that he would shake up a strike force which has so far failed to spark.
The Japanese players focused on shooting during the evening practice while Japanese supporters were vocal in the stands of the North Sportspark stadium.
In unusally direct reactions, they made catcalls and booed when players missed the target while they erupted in applause when they bulged the net.
Zico also had a dig at Australia accusing them of roughing up one of his squad trainers during their opening World Cup match.
Zico recalled the incident as he continued complaining at how the football governing body FIFA is overseeing the world's biggest sporting event, ranging from a penalty mistake to mid-afternoon matches in the scorching sun.
The Brazilian legend said on Tuesday that Australia coach Guus Hiddink and his staff shoved Japanese trainer Naoki Hayakawa when he tried to get onto the pitch to take care of a Japanese player lying on the ground.
"He [Hayakawa] did not block the view of the bench or intentionally interrupt the match," Zico angrily told reporters, asking if the Australian conduct deserved to be called "fair play."
The Asian champions lost the match 3-1 to Australia on June 12, succumbing to a three-goal spree in the final nine minutes.
Japan then drew 0-0 with Croatia on Sunday leaving them with a Brazilian mountain to climb to maintain their involvement in the tournament.
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