Parreira looks ahead to key date for Brazil

Brazil manager Carlos Alberto Parreira admits tomorrow’s game against Japan is little more than a run-out for his players – but insists the match that follows will shape the favourites’ World Cup destiny.

With victories against Croatia and Australia in the bank, Brazil have had already qualified for the knockout stage albeit in a manner that was often less than sparkling.

Japan, coached by Brazil legend Zico, know they must win to have any chance of joining them and are hopeful Parreira will rest most of his established stars.

Parreira only hinted this might happen, with the veteran defender Cafu and Juvntus midfielder Emerson likely to be rested to avoid picking up a second yellow card of the tournament and the suspension that would come with it.

But the man who steered Brazil to victory in the 1994 finals was clear on one issue – that the start of the knockout phase was more potentially perilous than the finish.

He said: “The next round and the quarter-finals are the most difficult in the World Cup – more difficult than the semi-finals or the final.

“That is because the players know that if you lose a game in the group stageyou can still go through. Lose in the next round however and you go home.

“That makes the players more nervous so you have to become a psychologist. If you reach the semi-finals you are only a few days away from the end of the tournament so it is easier for the players.”

As likely winners of Group F, with only Australia mathematically able to overtake them, Brazil will face the runners-up of Group E, which could be anyone from a pool of Italy, the Czech Republic, Ghana or the USA.

If Brazil’s early form had not been as impressive as many had hoped that applied in spades to Ronaldo, with the Real Madrid forward looking overweight and off the pace.

The 29-year-old is also one booking away from suspension but is expected to keep his place as Perreira is keen for him to “gain rhythm” in time for trickier tasks ahead.

Japan have never beten Brazil in a full international but almost managed that last summer in the Confederations Cup, which was also held in Germany.

The eventual winners were almost knocked out and in the end had to settle for a 2-2 draw in Cologne, with Robinho and Ronaldinho the Brazilians on the scoresheet.

Parreira recalled: “We will have to be careful because Japan have many quick players and are strong on the counter-attack. That is the strongest part of their team.”