Zico faces former team as Japan face Brazil In World Cup Group F

With a second-round berth secured, Brazil could rest some of its starters for its last Group F match on Thursday (3 p.m. ET), giving Japan extra hope in its quest to stay alive at the World Cup.

The teams enter the match in Dortmund with very distinct goals. Brazil is looking to improve from lacklustre performances against Croatia and Australia. Japan needs to defeat the defending champions - and hope Australia fails to beat Croatia - to advance.

If he starts, Cafu will set a Brazilian record with his 19th World Cup appearance. He is currently even with Dunga and Claudio Taffarel with 18 matches. With 14 victories, Cafu already has won more World Cup matches than any other Brazilian, and has played a record 148 games for his country. He has lost only 19 times.

Japan, coached by former Brazilian all-star Zico, will need to beat Brazil no matter who's on the field on Thursday. A draw will automatically send the Japanese back home.Besides beating the five-time champions, Japan needs Australia to fail against Croatia in the other Group F match on Thursday. Japan lost 3-1 to Australia in its opener, then drew Croatia 0-0.

Zico, a standout on the Brazilian World Cup teams of 1978, '82 and '86, will become the 13th coach in World Cup history to face his own country. Brazil is unbeaten against Japan in seven matches. It has five wins and two draws, including 2-2 in the Confederations Cup in Germany last year.