Japan braced for Aussie onslaught in opener

Japan are bracing themselves for a gruelling physical battle when they face Australia in their World Cup opener today.

The Asian champions will look to counter Australia's power with their own tactical nous and speed on the break in a Group F game regarded by both teams as vital to their prospects.

With Croatia and World Cup holders Brazil looming in the group, a poor performance in Kaiserslautern would leave the losers with a mountain to climb to reach the last 16.

Japan overcame earthquakes, typhoons and a much-publicised curfew-breaking drinking session early in coach Zico's reign to qualify for the World Cup for the second time.

The Brazilian has been sweating over the fitness of several key players in the run-up to the Australia clash while questions remain over the stability of Japan's defence.

Only Yuji Nakazawa, at 187 cm, stands tall among Japan's three-man back line and he will be asked to shadow Australia forward Mark Viduka, cleared to play after a calf problem.

"Our defenders are not going to suddenly grow another few inches overnight so we've worked on getting the marking right and making sure we're marking tight," said Zico.

His first choice strikers Naohiro Takahara and Atsushi Yanagisawa, as well as playmaker Shunsuke Nakamura, have all recovered from knocks and should start.

Guus Hiddink's Australia will also be at full strength for their first World Cup finals match in 32 years with Harry Kewell (groin) and Tim Cahill (knee) given the all-clear to start.

The Socceroos have looked sharp since a dramatic qualifying victory over Uruguay, beating European champions Greece 1-0 and holding Netherlands to a 1-1 draw in warm-up matches.

Australia's World Cup preparations have been shrouded in secrecy but they will rely on the "Hiddink Factor" to give them a psychological edge as their Dutch coach plots more success.

The Australians, who lost twice and drew once in their only previous finals appearance in 1974, will also hope some of the magic of South Korea's remarkable run to the 2002 semi-finals under Hiddink rubs off on them.

The Dutchman will be taking nothing for granted against Japan, though, after they reached the last 16 as co-hosts with the Koreans four years ago.

"Having worked in that part of the world, one thing is very clear and that's their determination," he said of the Japanese.

"We must be ready for that."

Pre-match talk passes by Japan's Alex

A World Cup pep-talk given by Japan's soccer chief to the Japanese squad was completely lost on the team's Brazilian-born defender Alex.

Japan Football Association (JFA) chief Saburo Kawabuchi dropped in on the squad during training on Saturday to rally the troops for today's World Cup opener against Australia.

But it was lost on Alex.

"I was wondering what he was talking about," smiled the 28-year-old, who speaks intermediate Japanese.

"I had to ask (interpreter) Suzuki-san what he was going on about."

Alex, who was granted Japanese citizenship in 2001, is expected to make his 73rd appearance for his adopted country in their opening Group F game in Kaiserslautern.

"Whatever he said we're only two days away from our first match," said Alex, who has played more games (64) than any other Japan player under current coach Zico.

"I'm just going to try to relax."

Probable line-ups

Australia (4-5-1): 1-Schwarzer; 7-Emerton, 2-Neil, 3-Moore, 14-Chipperfield; 13-Grella, 5-Culina, 4-Cahill, 23-Bresciano, 10-Kewell; 11-Viduka.

Japan (3-5-2): 23-Kawaguchi; 5-Miyamoto, 22-Nakazawa, 19-Tsuboi; 3-Komano, 7-H. Nakata, 15-Fukunishi, 10-Nakamura, 14-Alex; 9-Takahara, 13-Yanagisawa.

Referee: Essam Abd El Fatah (Egypt).

Kick-off: 3 p.m.