The "underdogs in capital letters", according to coach Guus Hiddink, will go out without fear in search of the upset of the World Cup early Monday morning (KICKOFF 0200 AEST) against world champion Brazil.

The Socceroos will face a fired-up Brazil, reeling from bad press over its less-than-impressive 1-0 win over Croatia in their World Cup opener and the loss of tournament favouritism.

That tag now rests with Brazil's arch-rival Argentina after its high-quality 6-0 belting of Serbia-Montenegro on Friday.

The Socceroos are sitting above Brazil in Group F after their 3-1 win over Japan last week, with the winner of Monday's match in the box seat to top the group.

Croatia plays Japan in the other Group F match on Sunday (KICK-OFF 2300 AEST) in Nuremberg, with the loser almost certain to bid an early exit from the tournament.

Much interest will centre on Hiddink's decision whether to risk four players on yellow cards - Tim Cahill, Vince Grella, Craig Moore and John Aloisi - or save them for what is looming as their virtual Cup final against Croatia in Stuttgart on June 22.

A second yellow means an automatic one-match ban, with any of the four unavailable for the Croatia match if they fall foul of the referee against the Brazilians.

But Hiddink suggested at his pre-match media conference that he would play his strongest team, though the wily Dutchman doesn't always play a straight bat on big-match eve, especially in front of a 300-strong media throng swelled by plenty of Brazilian and Croatian press.

Brazil is a game the Socceroos could theoretically afford to lose narrowly now they have three points from their win over Japan, though Hiddink said he was more concerned with getting a result which would be a massive boost towards second stage qualification.

"This game deserves a team we think which is good enough to make (a game with) the opposition, and not just consider letting out all the players who are on yellow cards," Hiddink said.

"We'd like to make a result. We'd like to make a good impression worldwide, and I don't think we have to think a lot of what will happen in the third game.

"Everyone expects a big victory from the Brazilian team, but it's up to us to make (a game with) the opposition, and I'm sure we will do it."

Both teams held their final training sessions before the match on Saturday at the magnificent 65,000 capacity Allianz Arena - built especially for the World Cup.

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