Japan may have only the slimmest of chances of beating Brazil for survival in the World Cup, but the Asian champions have not ruled out a "miracle win" over the five-time holders.
BONN: Japan may have only the slimmest of chances of beating Brazil for survival in the World Cup, but the Asian champions have not ruled out a "miracle win" over the five-time holders.
"Football throws up some unexpected results," Japan coach Zico said after the 0-0 draw against Croatia kept alive both sides' hopes to reaching the second round. "We know how good Brazil are, but we intend to give them a real battle."
"We are hanging on by the skin of our teeth," said goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi, whose masterful save of a Croatian penalty kept a clean sheet for Japan in Nuremberg on Sunday.
"I will give all I have. Never mind if I'd get cramps and collapse," added the former Portsmouth keeper. Kawaguchi repelled a barrage of shots - including a Roberto Carlos free kick - when Japan upset Brazil 1-0 in Miami in the first round of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
The victory, albeit at an underage level, is fondly remembered at home as the "miracle of Miami." Japan also take pride in a 2-2 draw against Brazil in the first round of the Confederations Cup in Germany a year ago.
"We should not be afraid just because our opponents are Brazil. We have experience of playing them before," Zico said. In World Cup Group-F, Brazil reached the second round on Sunday by defeating Australia 2-0.
The Australians beat Japan 3-1 in their opener. Both Japan and Croatia trail two points behind Australia and they need to at least win their last group games on Thursday to stay in contention.
Then, goal difference will decide who gets the second of the group's two tickets for the knockout stages.
As for Japan, they must beat Brazil by a margin of two goals, provided that Croatia defeats Australia by no more than one goal.
"I think Japan will lose against Brazil, so I believe we still have a real chance of qualifying for the next round," said Croatia striker Dado Prso.
"In both games against Brazil and Japan we haven't scored, but we have created some good chances. Im sure that we will beat Australia," added the 31-year-old who plays for Rangers in Scotland.
Croatia coach Zlatko Kranjcar predicted the 1998 semi-finalists, who narrowly lost to Brazil 1-0 in their opening match, could still qualify for the next phase.
Croatia "were out of luck" against Japan, he said. "We still have strength left in us and our morale is high."
Japan are also game, said Zico, who played in three Brazilian World Cup campaigns, none of which ended in ultimate triumph.
"We are still breathing. We are alive. We'll see what we can do in the next four days."
Bolton midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata, picked as the man of the match in the Croatia game, said he would follow any game plan set down by Zico.
"My mind is set on winning and nothing else," said the 29-year-old, playing in his third World Cup since Japan's debut a the World Cup finals in 1998.
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