Australia consider resting players against Brazil

OEHRINGEN, Germany, June 15 (Reuters) Australia are considering fielding a weakened team in Sunday's World Cup match against Brazil to avoid the risk of losing key players to suspension for their final Group F game with Croatia.

Australia coach Guus Hiddink said he had still not decided the makeup of his team to play the world champions but was toying with the idea of gambling everything on beating Croatia.

Hiddink said he was concerned about four players -- Tim Cahill, John Aloisi, Vince Grella and Craig Moore -- who got yellow cards in Monday's 3-1 win over Japan.

Those players would automatically miss the Croatia match if they were booked against the Brazilians.

''We've got two tough games against world class teams. Not just Brazil but Croatia as well,'' Hiddink told reporters after a training session today.

''So I'm thinking about it (resting players on yellow cards).

We've talked about it, but we will have to see.'' Moore said all the players desperately wanted to play against Brazil but were also aware the Croatia match would probably decide who finished second in the group.

''Of course, I'd love to play but the Croatia game is going to be our cup final,'' he said.

''I've heard the manager mention that a couple of times and to me that indicates he possibly will tinker with the system but it's not something I know for fact.'' The biggest risk for Australia in fielding an under strength side against the South Americans is that a heavy defeat would affect their goal difference and could leave them needing to beat Croatia to reach the second round rather than just draw.

Croatia lost 1-0 to Brazil in their first group game.

Australia defender Lucas Neil was confident, however, that the Socceroos have enough depth not just to hold the Brazilians but possibly to cause an upset.

''Whoever takes the field (for Australia) is going to have to get the better of their man and hopefully get us an amazing result against the world champions,'' he said.

''We've got a very talented squad and the boys have got the desire that if they get their chance they want to come in and do a job for the team.

''We're confident with the depth of people that we've got in our squad.'' REUTERS AY PM1806