Harry Kewell lasted the 90 minutes no one thought he would in some of most difficult conditions imaginable.

Now the Socceroos star says bring on Brazil, because he and his teammates have no fear after their World Cup adventure started in such spectacular fashion.

The Socceroos' startling and stirring 3-1 win over Japan was notable for many things - including Kewell starting and finishing a match no one expected him to.

Throw in a pitchside temperature that reached 38 degrees and Kewell's 90-minute return after a groin injury - while not his most spectacular performance - was satisfying for both player and country.

Coach Guus Hiddink had denied Kewell was ready for 90 minutes for the past three weeks.

Yet he took a high-stakes gamble with him in high-pressure conditions, despite Kewell breaking down as a starter for club Liverpool in both last year's Champions League final and the FA Cup final last month.

"It was very hard work - the heat got to a lot of players," Kewell said.

"I was alright - a little bit tired. You'd be lying if you said you didn't feel it."

Kewell said the team's performance despite the heat and circumstances which conspired against it showed its strength of character - and was a tribute to the strength of mind of Australians generally.

"We always believe in what we can do.

"We went one behind and didn't get our heads down and just kept on going.

"That's not the Australian way (to give up). You don't give up until the final whistle. We showed character out there and we deserved it."

Now the World Cup's second stage beckons for the Socceroos if they can produce a good result against Brazil in Munich on Sunday (MON AEST KICKOFF).

Even a point against Brazil, the warm favourite for the tournament, could be enough to see Australia through, while a narrow loss doesn't necessarily spell the end either.

But after achieving a victory for the ages against Japan, Kewell says the team generally acknowledged as the world's best holds no fear.

"At the end of the day, they're just 11 men," he said.

"We've got great players in our team too. It will be an interesting match.

"It's a World Cup and we're going to play to what we're capable of.

"If we do that, anything can happen."

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