Japan will take on mighty Brazil in its last World Cup Group F match today in Dortmund.

For Japan, there is no choice but to win if it wants to advance to the knockout stage while for Brazil, it is enough to top the Group F with a draw.

To beat Brazil is only a prerequisite for Japan's survival after it lost to Australia 3-1 and drew 0-0 with Croatia. Even so, Japan's chance of survival depends on the other Group F match between Australia and Croatia on Thursday.

Brazil has qualified for the second round by beating Croatia 1-0 and Australia 2-0, and leads the group with six points, followed by Australia with three points.

One good news for Japan is indications that Brazil could let upin Thursday's match to gear up for the second round match. Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira hinted he could send substitutes against Japan to give some of the starters rest.

Parreira said Sunday that striker Ronaldo was likely to stay in the starting lineup so he can continue to "gain rhythm." He refused to reveal his starting line-up against Japan.

Japan coach Zico has shown his resolves and optimism, and vowed to clinch the last slim chance.

"We are not confronting an awful monster," the former Brazilian all-star said. "They are a strong team. But we must never give up as long as there is the slightest of chances.

"We have to be more optimistic in the way we think," he told reporters Tuesday.

Zico raised two examples to boost the confidence of Japanese players. The first one is Brazil's lost to Norway at France 1998 in their last group match after it has secured an entry ticket for the second round. He also recalled that Japan drew 2-2 with Brazil in the first round of the Confederations Cup in Germany last year.

On Brazil's side, the advantage to Japan is obvious. Record shows Brazil is unbeaten against Japan in seven matches with five wins and two draws.

Japan boasts of Asia's most formidable midfield featuring Hidetoshi Nakata, Shunsuke Nakamura and Shinji Ono and Kashima Antlers' set-piece specialist Mitsuo Ogasawara.

Japan reached the last 16 of the 2002 World Cup, co-hosted by Japan and South Korea, under Frenchman Philippe Troussier.