Over the years, Brazilian players, coaches and trainers have helped shape the Japanese game with several playing for the national team as naturalised citizens.

At present, there are 62 Brazilians in the top division of the 13-year-old J-League.

Now the Asian champions are looking to repay their mentors with the ultimate success - emulating their 1-0 shock victory over Brazil at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

"Zico is not playing, right? Then, we'll be alright," Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira quipped about the favourites' match against Japan in Group F, which also includes Croatia and Australia.

But Zico, 53, a star of Brazil's three failed World Cups (1978-86), insists: "Anything might happen in soccer."

He recalled Japan's 2-2 draw with Brazil in their last encounter at the Confederations Cup last year. His team only failed to win because of a "refereeing mistake," Zico said.

A dubious off-side call denied Japan a third goal and their first-ever win over Brazil in their seven full international encounters.

The two sides also battled to a goalless draw at the 2001 Confederations Cup.

"If we play our football, there will certainly be a lapse in Brazil somewhere during the match," said Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura who scored a goal and set up another in that Confed first-round clash.

Japan and Brazil have never faced each other in a World Cup since Japan made its finals debut in 1998, and Zico plans to pressure Brazil's vulnerable defence.

"You should also take a few risks against them. Football is all about risks," said Zico, who has been in Japanese football for 15 years and took over from Frenchman Philippe Troussier as coach after the 2002 finals.

But he declared "absolutely not" when asked if his Brazilian connection can help fix a result which ensures Japan advance to the second round.

He called such a deal, not unheard of in World Cup history, a "shame for international football" which must be "properly punished."

His first-choice goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi is confident thay can cause an upset and is raring to stop a barrage of Brazilian shots as he did in Japan's upset win in the Olympic first round.

"I have grown mentally and technically over years. My competitive instinct has been whipped up to face the strong sides," said the 30-year-old former Portsmouth reserve.

Brazil's Atlanta squad were led by Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and Dida, all of them regulars in Parreira's star-studded national team. They showered 28 shots at goal against Japan's four in that match.

But a cross from Michiki Ryuji caused defender Aldair and keeper Dida to collide, allowing Teruyoshi Ito to push the ball into an empty net in the 72nd minute.

Brazil eventually settled for bronze in the tournament won by Nigeria after Japan were eliminated.

"I think the game of football has reached a stage where, depending on your approach, it is definitely possible for a weaker team to win," said another Atalanta holdover and Bolton midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata, 29.

Dunga, who captained Brazil's 1994 World Cup triumph and later commanded J-League Jubilo Iwata's midfield, said: "Japan lack 'phenomena,' such as Brazil's Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, who can dictate matches."

The retired 42-year-old advised that "Japan need to fight as one".

And there is no shortage of Brazilians willing Japan on.

"I may be called a traitor at home if Japan beat Brazil. But I strongly feel happy fighting as a Japanese," said Urawa Reds winger Alessandro Santos, 28, who obtained Japanese nationality to compete in the 2002 World Cup.