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Depleted powers France-Brazil semifinal overshadows Japan-Australia
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- It will be a fight for soccer's No. 1 ranking, but Thursday's Confederations Cup semifinal isn't shaping as a battle of the best. On paper it's a mouthwatering clash -- the world No. 1 France vs. No. 2 Brazil and a replay of the 1998 World Cup final. But the reality is an understrength France against a Brazilian lineup devoid of its stars. Despite the depleted rosters, the top spot is at stake with the next FIFA standings released June 20 and the outcome is crucial for both nations. The victor will advance to Sunday's decider against the winner of the Japan-Australia semifinal at Yokohama, a match that has been overshadowed by the heavyweight clash. The Japanese qualified No. 1 in Group B on wins over Olympic gold medalist Cameroon and Canada and a 0-0 tie with Brazil. With 80,000 fans expected to cram into Yokohama's International Stadium, venue for 2002 World Cup final, the Australians will be at a serious disadvantage. With South Korea out of contention, the France-Brazil playoff at Suwon's World Cup Stadium near Seoul is no sellout -- even with the caliber of teams involved. The French, three years after beating Brazil in the World Cup final at Stade de France, knocked the Selecao off top spot in the FIFA rankings last month to end Brazil's seven-year reign. France is without playmaker Zinedine Zidane and other topflight internationals like Emmanuel Petit and Thierry Henry. The Brazilian lineup is packed with international rookies. The four Rs -- Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Romario and Rivaldo -- are all missing from Emerson Leao's squad due to injury or club commitments. "We have to defend our status within the game," French captain Marcel Desailly said Wednesday. "We're glad to be favorites -- we've worked hard to be in this position -- but you always have additional pressure against Brazil." The World and European champions have lost just twice in 2001 -- 1-2 to Spain at Valencia in March and the 0-1 defeat Roger Lemerre's B-team suffered against Australia here. Desailly, who expects to overcome a groin strain before Thursday, said he wasn't taking Brazil lightly. "Brazil is not as spectacular as it can be -- but they always have players who can do the job," he said. "Brazil has some quality players who still need time to come of age." Desailly, a veteran of 83 internationals, is one of six members of the current squad that played at the France '98 World Cup. The French have a 9-1 goal differential in three games for the best offense of the tournament. Brazil has no World Cup '98 survivors. Struggling, the Brazilians are in the middle of the pack in South American World Cup qualifying and in a goal-scoring drought here. Brazil goes into the second round on a 2-0 win over Cameroon and successive scoreless draws against Canada and Japan in preliminaries. Brazilian defender Edmilson says the semifinal is not the stage to focus on avenging the World Cup defeat. "This is not a revenge match. This is a completely different Brazilian team. None of us was there in 1998," said Edmilson, who plays in the French league with Olympique Lyon. "France is recognized as No. 1 and deservedly so, while we Brazil are often more respected abroad than at home -- hopefully we can put Brazil in the place it deserves." The locals will back Brazil after South Korea's coach Guus Hiddink blamed Lemerre's decision to field a B team against Australia for his team's elimination. Meanwhile, Japan coach Philippe Troussier said playing the No. 68-ranked Socceroos instead of the French had its pros and cons. Against France, Troussier said his 44th-ranked team had nothing to lose. But as co-host of the 2002 World Cup, losing to the Australians would be serious setback in its development. "We mustn't forget that Australia beat France and if we show no respect for them, we will have problems," said Japan striker Akinori Nishizawa. Australia and Japan have identical 2-2-2 records from their six meetings since 1994.
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