Group F
Brazil v Australia
Kick-off 17:00 (BST)
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Brazil will be looking for a big improvement on their opening performance when they take on Australia in Munich.
As well as the small matter of three World Cup points being at stake, this game is an intriguing encounter on a number of levels.
Aguably the biggest talking point in the opening round of matches was the dismal display by Brazilian striker Ronaldo in the 1-0 win over Crotia.
Ronaldo complained of dizziness the day after, but Carlos Alberto Parreira has insisted that he will keep faith with the Real Madrid forward.
“I felt sick on my day off and the doctor took me to the hospital for a series of examinations,” Ronaldo said Thursday. “There was nothing abnormal and it gave us the peace of mind we needed. I’m feeling much better.”
With Ronaldo included, Parreira is set to name an unchanged line-up despite an uninspiring display against Croatia. However, the Brzilian coach acknowledged that his team cannot afford to stroll through the game.
“We have everything to win the match, but we will need to play very seriously,” Parreira said.
Robinho, who looked lively when he came on as a second half substitute, will once again start the game on the bench, although he will be expectd to nake an appearance should Brazil’s much-vaunted quartet of attacking players misfire again.
Parreira’s team faces Australia side high on confidence following their comeback against Japan.
Australia coach Guus Hiddink, who has no injury concerns, is already looking ahead to their potentially decisive final game against Croatia.
Four players – Tim Cahill, John Aloisi, Craig Moore and Vince Grella – were cautioned against Japan and run the risk of picking up a second yellow, but Hiddink will resist the temptation of resting players.
“There are some conditions on this game and the last against Croatia because we have some yellow cards and I have told the guys to be aware of the consequences of further cards,” Hiddink said .
“We have to consider whether to bring players in who are on the fringe of the team.
“This game deserves a team which is good enough to make an opposition to Brazil and not just considering leaving out all the players on yellow cards.
“We would like to make a result and make a good impression world wide and I don’t think we have to think too much about the third game (Croatia) and what will happen then.
“One of the things that pleases me about this team is the way they adapt themselves easily to new situations and this is new for everyone,” he added.
“They don’t have a lot of fear going into their matches because it’s their mentality to be open and to go for it.
“It doesn’t mean they are cocky or arrogant, there is no reason to, but they are very open when they go into games, whether it’s a small one or whether it’s a big one like tomorrow.”
Probable teams:
Brazil: Dida, Cafu, Lucio, Juan, Roberto Carlos, Emerson, Ze Roberto, Kaka, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Adriano.
Australia: Schwarzer, Emerton, Neill, Popovic, Chipperfield, Skoko, Culina, Wilkshire, Bresciano, Kewell, Viduka.
Referee: Markus Merk (Germany).
