Rare day off for Australia before Brazil game

OEHRINGEN, Germany, June 14 (Reuters) Australia were given a rare day off today to celebrate their World Cup win over Japan and recharge the batteries ahead of Sunday's Group F clash with champions Brazil.

Coach Guus Hiddink subjected the players to a gruelling fitness campaign leading up to the tournament but agreed to give them their first day of rest after Monday's draining 3-1 victory in Kaiserslautern.

''Everyone's fine, everyone's fit but we've given them a day to refresh,'' assistant coach Graham Arnold told reporters.

''They pushed themselves to the limit in that heat so we won't start thinking about Brazil until Thursday and Friday.'' Australia's fitness proved decisive against Japan, overturning a 1-0 deficit to score three goals in the last eight minutes as the Asian champions wilted in the scorching heat.

''We've done a lot of research and work on recovery and our boys have recovered fantastically,'' Arnold said.

''They all had ice baths after the game and were wearing tights to get rid of the lactic acid. Australia is up at the top of the world with medical research.'' The Socceroos have been working with the internationally-acclaimed Australian Institute of Sport, who recommended the players had a light training run the day after the match then take the following day off to clear their minds before tackling Brazil in Munich.

''They've been given a day off to see their families and relax and take their minds off football because they've been together for two and a half weeks and there's been a lot of pressure and a lot of focus so they'll get some downtime,'' Arnold said.

''They need to freshen up. You can't get them any fitter in a day so it's more to freshen them up mentally because the mind controls the body more than anything.'' Reuters PM VV1835