Brazil, Japan Clash in Crunch Decider

Suspense has been building in the rundown to Wednesday's crunch Confederations Cup Group B decider between Asian champions Japan and World Cup holders Brazil amid growing speculation about possible shuffles in Brazil's team lineup.

Fresh off a victory against Greece, the Japanese team appeared visibly more relaxed than its Brazilian counterparts during a training session in Leverkusen on Monday. Humiliated by Mexico by a single goal, Brazil is under pressure to win -- though even a draw would do -- against Japan on Wednesday in order to advance through to the semi-finals on Sunday of the eight-nation tournament.

On Tuesday, Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira was playing his cards close to his chest though he'd hinted earlier that he'd be making sweeping changes for the crucial match that will determine whether it is the world or Asian champions who join Mexico, Germany and Argentina in the semi-finals.

"I'll be making changes, but perhaps not as many as you think," Parreira said playfully. "Normally, I'd give the team [lineup] but for special reasons this time I'm going to wait."

Brazilian media was rife with rumors this week about major swaps in the team's defense. Parreira confirmed Monday that he wanted to change his defense, with Marcos likely to come in for Dida as goalkeeper and Leo and Maicon replacing Cicinho and Gilberto. He may also break up the so-called "fantastic quartet" of Robinho, Ronaldinho, Adriano and Kaka.

Parreira insisted that even a defeat by Japan would not cost him his job. "If that happens, no one's going to get fired. Our aim is to prepare the team for the World Cup next year, but of course if we have the opportunity to win here we will take it."

Japan raring to go

Meanwhile Brazilian-born Japan coach Zico said he was keeping his team unchanged for the decider against Brazil. Japan must beat World Cup holders Brazil if it is to progress to the semi-finals.

The former Brazilian national soccer star said he was keeping faith in Keiji Tamada and Atsushi Yanagisawa -- his two strikers who failed to shine against Greece -- for Wednesday's decider against Brazil.

"Just because they missed goal-scoring opportunities it doesn't mean they were playing bad soccer," Zico said. "Tamada and Yanagisawa created a lot of chances and opened up the middle to offer opportunities to the midfielders to come along and score too."

The Japan coach believes his Asian champions can upset his fellow countrymen and follow Group B leaders Mexico through to the semi-finals.

"If we play as we played against Greece our chances are good," Zico said. "We know the Brazilian players. We know everything about the opposition. We respect the power of Brazil but we have to fight for our result and do everything we can to win."

A noticeable characteristic of Japan's training sessions is the enthusiastic atmosphere in which they're held, a spirit Zico said he had deliberately tried to foster since he took over as coach after the 2002 World Cup.

"That's the way we operate. We have to take pleasure from soccer as a group and that spirit comes through in a match," he said. "We play with a lot of joy." Though Japan's recent record against Brazil does not make happy reading, Zico said that the past is the past. In addition, the Japanese can also look forward to a visit from Japanese Princess Takamado during their duel against Brazil.

Zico, who will be confronting his fellow countrymen for the first time on Wednesday as Japan's coach, also said he would be singing Brazil's national anthem.

"I've been singing it before I went to school. It's part of my life. I will sing it with joy and happiness, but afterwards I will be working for Japan."

Greece playing for pride

In contrast, the second match in the Group B final between Greece and Mexico in Frankfurt on Wednesday lacks much of a punch. European champion Greece is merely playing for pride since it has already been eliminated from the tournament after they went down to Brazil (3-0) and Japan (1-0).

Greece has been on a downward spiral since Euro 2004 and their German coach "King Otto" Rehhagel has seen the red carpet swept from under his feet.

"I really thought my team would have played better in this tournament," Rehhagel said on Tuesday. After a dreadful tournament, Rehhagel has switched his focus to some vital qualifying matches for the 2006 World Cup.

"We have to get used to winning"

While Greek fans are ready to go home, Mexican supporters are on a high. Mexico produced the biggest shock of the Confederations Cup by defeating world champions Brazil 1-0 in their last group match and the team has already secured a place in the semi-finals on Sunday with a maximum six points.

"It's satisfying to see how we're growing and able to beat great teams. We're getting better all the time," Mexico coach Ricardo Lavolpe said.

Mexico is also dreaming of a repeat of its 1999 success in the competition. That year Mexico also defeated Brazil, winning the final 4-3 in front of home fans. A point against Greece on Wednesday would secure top spot in Group B.

"We have to get used to winning, make it a habit," Lavolpe said. "To beat the champions of the world gives us great confidence in our own ability."