Wanderley Luxemburgo's young side must win against the Japanese to be sure of having a chance of progressing to the knockout phase of the 16-team Sydney Olympics competition. After suffering a shock 3-1 defeat against South Africa on Sunday, the South Americans' dreams of lifting their first Olympic football title are hanging by a thread. They are level on three points with South Africa, who play pointless Slovakia on Wednesday, but only third in Group C overall.
Japan top the table with six points.
Besieged coach Luxemburgo, who has come in for some fierce criticism in the Brazilian press with the national team having lost twice in their World Cup qualifying campaign, is certain his team can secure the vital win in Brisbane. Luxemburgo, also fighting off allegations including financial misconduct by his former secretary Renata Alves, was adamant they could sink Japan. But Brazil will be aware of the result between the two sides when they last met at an Olympics. A Brazil team featuring the likes of Roberto Carlos, Rivaldo, Ze Elias and Ronaldo crashed 1-0 against Japan during the Atlanta Games in 1996. Japan, the only Asian team to win a football medal at an Olympic Games, when they took bronze in 1968, only need a point from Wednesday's match to be certain of progressing to the next round.