FIFA World Cup hosts Brazil continue their preparation
for the competition against South Africa in Johannesburg on Wednesday.
Luiz Felipe Scolari's men have three friendlies remaining
before they bid to succeed where the country's 1950 vintage failed - by lifting
the World Cup on home soil.
Due to the fact they are staging this year's showpiece
and therefore did not have to qualify, Brazil have not played a competitive
fixture since beating reigning world champions Spain in the final of last
year's FIFA Confederations Cup.
The five-time World Cup winners have been in superb form
recently, though, having won their last six friendlies.
However, they will face a tricky test in South Africa, as
the 2010 World Cup hosts have lost just one of their last six matches and
defeated Spain 1-0 at Soccer City back in November.
Brazil's next three opponents have been carefully
selected in an attempt to mirror the opponents they will face in their World
Cup group, with their trip to Johannesburg followed by games with Panama and
Serbia.
The Selecao begin their campaign for a sixth world crown
against Croatia on June 12, and will also face Mexico and Cameroon in Group A,
with Scolari - who led Brazil to success at the 2002 World Cup - describing the
South Africa trip an "important test".
For South Africa, the friendly represents an ideal chance
to put their disappointing World Cup qualification and CAF African Nations
Championship campaigns behind them by claiming another huge scalp on home turf.
"It is not every day that one gets to play against
five-time world champions," coach Gordon Igesund told the South Africa
Football Association website.
"This is a great opportunity for us to continue from
where we left off against Spain last year. We played Brazil in Sao Paolo and
narrowly lost 1-0 (in September 2012).
"They are the hosts of the 2014 World Cup, so they
will definitely be taking this match seriously as you can see from the squad
they have selected.
"I also have a lot of confidence in the squad I have
selected and I believe we will be very competitive on the night. This should be
a very good challenge for the players."
Bernard Parker will likely pose a strong threat for the
hosts, having scored five goals in his last four international appearances,
including the winner against Spain, while Brazil have added three
domestic-based players to their travelling party.
Joining the likes of stars Neymar, Hulk, Oscar and David
Luiz in Scolari's squad are strikers Fred and Jo, as well as goalkeeper
Jefferson.
Culled from Soccerway
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