Kewell says Socceroos not frightened of Brazil

OEHRINGEN, Germany: The days when Australia's players were terrified of just lining up against Brazil are long over, according to striker Harry Kewell.

The mere prospect of playing the mighty South Americans has struck fear into the hearts of many international teams over the years with sides often beaten before their match had even begun.

Australia could be excused for feeling the same way after failing to score a single goal in their first five matches with Brazil, including a 6-0 loss at the 1997 Confederations Cup final, but that is no longer the case.

The Socceroos beat Brazil the last time they met, in Korea five years ago, destroying the myth they were unstoppable.

Kewell missed that match but said Australia could very well repeat that result when they play them in Munich on Sunday in a World Cup Group F match.

''There's no difference to playing any other team, really, whether it's going to be Liechtenstein or Japan or England or Argentina,'' Kewell told reporters today.

''You go out in the same mind. It doesn't matter who you are playing against.''

Kewell said the key to Australia's chances of beating Brazil was to remain relaxed and not allow themselves to be intimidated by their lofty reputations.

''I think that's the Australian way, you know, take it easy,'' he said.

''There's no point wasting energy. The game's not until Sunday, so why start getting pumped up now?'' Defender Tony Popovic, one of a handful of survivors from the team that beat Brazil in 2001, said it would be an even greater achievement to beat the South Americans at a World Cup.

''Obviously back then it went down as something amazing and something I thought would be hard to top,'' Popovic said.

''But now getting the opportunity to play against them at the World Cup, this would be even better.'' Australia won their opening Group F match 3-1 over Japan and Brazil beat Croatia 1-0.

REUTERS