Though they have already reached the last 16, Brazil intend to show no mercy to winless Japan on Thursday despite the fact that they are coached by Zico, one of the South American country's favorite sons.

Brazil Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said the five-time champions are only getting to grips with the demands of the event and there should be no sentimental attachment to their final Group F match in Dortmund.

"We played better than we did against Croatia and we will play even better in the next one," Parreira said after Brazil beat Australia 2-0 on Monday to qualify for the knockout stages.

Brazil's galaxy of stars, including Ronaldo, Adriano and Ronaldinho, have so far failed to sparkle, with Kaka salvaging a 1-0 over Croatia in their opener.

Parreira said he might rest injured and yellow-carded players from the game against the three-time Asian Cup winners.

Zico, the former star of three Brazilian World Cup campaigns, is still looking for the right formula up front to get the goals his side need to have any chance of reaching the last 16 for the second straight World Cup.

Japan need to rack up the goals

"What is certain is that we must beat Brazil by scoring more than two goals," Zico said. Japan lost to Australia 3-1 and shared a goalless draw with Croatia.

The Brazilian said he might shake up his starting line-up to boost Japan's infamous lack of firepower up front.

"My players understand well that they are here to fight for their country and they must do their best as long as there is the slightest of chances left."

Both Japan and Croatia trail two points behind Australia. To clinch the last of the group's two second-round berths, Japan must beat Brazil by a margin of two goals, provided that Croatia defeats Australia by no more than one goal.

Australians eye move into knock-out phase

The mathematics are simple for the Socceroos: a draw should be enough to join Brazil in the second round. But this is an emotionally-churning time for many in the Australian camp, as they prepare to finish off their outstanding work and take their place in the next phase.

Six of the Australian squad trace their roots back to Croatia. There are three players in Croatia's squad who were raised in Australia and groomed their soccer at the taxpayer-funded national sports institute.

"It was always going to be the case that the last game was going to be very important for us," said Australia captain Mark Viduka, who played in Croatia and has Croatian heritage. "We're confident that we can go into the Croatia game and make a good result for us to go forward."

Croatia confident against mirror-image Socceroos

Croatia's coach Zlatko Kranjcar said his team will be "more effective against Australia."

"We have the strength, knowledge and morale for these three points," Kranjcar said Monday.

Australian assistant coach Graham Arnold believes Croatia is a mirror image of the Australian team.

"I think you can't get two teams with any closer playing styles at this World Cup," Arnold said. "We both have big physical strong players, we both have technically good players, huge work-rates, so we're very similar and it will be a very difficult game."