Scolari wary of ´quality´ Japan

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari admits his side are under pressure heading into their Confederations Cup opener against Japan.

The hosts go into the tournament opener on Saturday as favourites, but Scolari is wary of a Japan side he says has ‘plenty of quality’.

Brazil are two-time defending champions and Scolari, who was in charge as Portugal finished runners-up as hosts at Euro 2004, said there high expectations on his side.

“In general, we are under pressure, but it’s not really pressure,” he said.

“It’s normal for a national team like Brazil to be seen as one of the favourites to win the tournament.”

Brazil hammered Japan 4-0 in an international friendly in October 2012, but Scolari warned his side to respect their opponents.

The quality of Shinji Kagawa and Keisuke Honda could trouble Brazil and Scolari said Alberto Zaccheroni’s men deserved respect after becoming the first team to qualify for the 2014 World Cup.

“Japan are the first team to qualify for the World Cup, if they didn’t have any quality, they would be still playing for a place in that competition,” Scolari said.

“But Japan are the first team to qualify and if they are the first side to qualify for the World Cup, they must have plenty of quality.”