Emerton feeling confident

Qantas Socceroo ‘Mr Versatility’ Brett Emerton is confident that his team can match Brazil in Sunday’s all-important Group F match being played in Munich’s Allianz Arena and remain top of the group.

Qantas Socceroo ‘Mr Versatility- Brett Emerton is confident that his team can match Brazil in Sunday-s all-important Group F match being played in Munich-s Allianz Arena and remain top of the group.

Australia sits ahead of Brazil on goal difference at the top of Group F with the winner, depending on the result of the earlier game between Croatia and Japan, in the plumb position of almost certainly progressing to the next round.

However most pundits, despite Brazil-s lacklustre performance against Croatia, predict the world's number one team will be far too strong for Australia, playing in just its second World Cup finals.

However, Emerton believes all the pressure will be on Brazil to win as they carry the weight of expectation and a proud football history.

"Confidence is high," said Emerton, prior to going out for the team's final training session at its Oehringen base, before transferring to Munich.

"We believe we can go out there and hopefully get a good result.

"Everyone-s very positive after the win a few days and really looking forward to the game on Sunday."

"The expectations aren-t that great for us, but we believe we can go out there and get something."

Asked if there was a sense of nervousness about playing the world-s best at the World Cup finals, Emerton believed the Australian players won't be overcome by the occasion.

"We are more excited than anything. I don-t think people expect us to go there and win, although we believe in our own ability and believe we can get a result.

"There is nothing nervous to be about really."

After several days of recuperation from the gruelling match against the Japanese last Monday, Emerton and the rest of the squad are feeling refreshed and will no doubt work on tactics and strategy to get a result against the classy Brazilians, who escaped with a 1-0 win over Croatia in their first round match.

Already there is talk of players being rested from the Brazil game and, in particular, those players that received yellow cards against Croatia, including key defensive players Craig Moore and Vince Grella.

Emerton, though, is one player that is definite to be there, having shown his versatility against Japan by occupying three different positions during the game, including the very unfamiliar role in the centre of defence.

"No, no idea," was his response when asked where he might line up on Sunday. "There is a possibility that there maybe some changes but he (Hiddink) hasn-t spoken about that as yet.

"It-s in the back of players minds that a few may get rested, as obviously we-ve got the Croatia game to think about as well.

"Obviously that-s Guus- decision on what he decides to do."

One of the players he is likely to see a lot of during the game, is none other than Ronaldinho, who is regarded as the best player in the world and one of the most gifted players of all time.

"That-s an exciting prospect and a scary one as well," Emerton remarked with a smile.

"Obviously, he is a great player, but it will be an honour to go out there and play against him.

"I-ll just play my own game; on the ball he is one of the best in the world, so we will try not to give him too much space to run at you.

"It all depends on if I play and where I will be playing on the day."

Emerton also believes that the team won-t change its style of play to suit Brazil.

"We-ll play our natural game," Emerton asserted emphatically.

"I think obviously we like to be physical but we like to play some good football as well.

"So hopefully we can go and show the world that."