Japan Look to Emulate Miracle of Miami

Goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi has fond memories of that upset in Florida, the Jubilo Iwata player producing a series of fine saves -- and he knows he will need another magical performance in Wednesday's make or break Confederations Cup Group B clash.

"Miami was the best game of my career, I don't know whether I'll be able to keep another clean sheet on Wednesday, I hope so," he said on Monday. Japan have to beat Brazil to make it into the semi-finals while Brazil need only a draw to join Mexico in the last four.

Wednesday's fixture took on an altogether different hue after Brazil suffered a surprise 1-0 defeat against Mexico to leave them level on points with Zico's Japan. Kawaguchi said: "The pressure's on Brazil, we have no pressure. We'll be the more relaxed team, that's good. We'll make a few chances and we have to score - we know if we don't we'll be on the plane home."

Brazilian legend plots downfall of home nation

For Zico the stakes don't come much higher for while this competition is no World Cup Wednesday's game pits him against his country of birth for the first time since taking over from Philippe Troussier as Japan coach.

"It's an extremely special game for me. When I hear the national anthem I'll be very emotional but the minute it's over I'll be working for Japan," said the former Brazil star.

Zico reported no injury concerns as he gave the players who didn't figure in Sunday's 1-0 win over Greece a training session held in the searing afternoon heat at the Viktoria football ground on the outskirts of Cologne. The stadium had seen better days with the Japan squad looking a whole lot healthier than the decaying terraces which were overrun with weeds after losing their fight against nature.

Despite having an interpreter like his shadow by his side Zico more often than not prefers to communicate his wishes visually rather than verbally, and his skills are paying off with Japan the first team to qualify for the World Cup.

Pressure normal for Brazil, warns Zico

Assessing Wednesday's assignment the 52-year-old echoed Kawaguchi's thoughts saying: "Brazil have all the pressure. That may be good for Japan, but then again the Brazil players are used to coping with pressure."

Reflecting on his work as Japan coach he added: "What I'm trying to do here is make the team more balanced, more powerful and organized."

Mexico win shatters illusion of invincibility

He inevitably declined to discuss tactics, but it won't have escaped his notice that Mexico's game plan of closing down the midfield, defending to the death and counter-attacking wherever possible seemed to work well enough in Hanover.

Zico has tried to impress on his team the importance of treating Brazil not like football gods but like any other team. "Brazil have so many talented players, but so do I," he explained. "There's not a lot of difference between teams today, everyone can beat anyone. Okay Brazil are a great team, but they can be beaten - we've got to go out and win."

Zico and his players will hope to do just that. Just like Miami nine years ago.