Kaka would be key for Brazil

Five-times world champions Brazil have enjoyed some stunning results under coach Dunga, including three wins over Argentina and a 4-0 demolition of Uruguay in Montevideo, but have always looked more comfortable playing on the counter-attack.

"We expect to play against defensive opponents, which always causes difficulty, and because it's the first game, the anxiety is very great," said midfielder Gilberto Silva.

Anxious to atone for their poor showing four years ago when they lost 1-0 to France in the quarter-finals, Brazil will depend heavily on the form of Kaka, who had a chequered first season with Real Madrid.

There has been some criticism of their warm-up programme, which took them to Zimbabwe and Tanzania where conditions were very different to the cool and dry atmosphere of Johannesburg.

"We're preparing for the cold and played Tanzania in unbearable heat," complained fullback Dani Alves.

Image: Kaka in a warm-up match