Brazil v Australia: While the Australian ended their opening game against Japan with the sort of bravura finish which precluded reasonable discussion of whatever limitations they had shown earlier, the Brazilians' single-goal win over Croatia was sufficiently uninspiring to make one ready to revise their odds entirely.

It is true that Kaka's goal was among the more wondrous in a week for fine goals but true also that the muscular Croats cut through the Brazilians with more ease than seemed decent whenever they put their minds to it.

Questions, questions. Roberto Carlos's fade from the scene has been long and painful. Can Brazil still rely on him at full back?

Ronaldo seemed to be carrying more pork content than the average wienerschnitzel and Adriano huffed and puffed, but not in a world-class way. Which leaves Kaka and Ronaldinho plus Robinho on the bench.

The Brazilians will grow into the tournament but for the moment they remain slightly vulnerable and, one suspects, a little worried about themselves.

Therein lies Australia's best hope. A good, rushing, physical performance which deprives Brazil of the space in which to locate their rhythm would be an interesting examination of the world champions' long-term viability.

So what does Guus Hiddink do? He finished last Monday with a team half full of strikers. That won't happen again but he is likely to have been quietly pleased with how much trouble the muscularity of Viduka and Josh Kennedy caused when they played up front, fed on a diet of early balls. Viduka will start, with Kennedy told to expect a call.

Despite being taken off for tactical reasons on Monday, Marco Bresciano, the mainstay of the Aussie midfield, will resume. His vision, skill and expertise in dead-ball situations are vital, and in that portion of the game where the Aussies will need possession and need to look for openings the Parma player is the best they have.

The inexperienced Luke Wilkshire may yet lose out to allow Tim Cahill to play an attacking midfield role. Doubts surrounded the fitness of Harry Kewell before the Japanese game, doubts which he didn't entirely dispel. Hiddink may be tempted to offer the starting spot beside Viduka to John Aloisi, one of Monday's great successes.

For Brazil the difficulty is different. Which superstar to pull the rug out from under?

The guess is that for now the song remains the same.

Brazil (4-4-2)

Dida; Cafu, Lucio, Juan, Carlos; Emerson, Roberto, Kaka, Ronaldinho; Ronaldo, Adriano.

Australia (4-5-1)

Schwarzer; Emerton, Neill, Popovic, Chipperfield; Skoko, Culina, Wilkshire, Bresciano, Kewell; Viduka.