Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira normally indulges in small-scale practice matches but instead he sent out his first team in a full-scale practice as per a proper match.

With Emerson struggling with a knee problem and Kaka battling ankle and knee injuries Parreira, seeking to emulate his 1994 win in charge of the auriverde, is likely to draft Arsenal's Gilberto Silva, an ever present when Emerson missed the 2002 campaign with a shoulder strain.

Juninho has been pushing hard for a start since he came in for the win over Japan in which he scored a fine goal.

He also came on as a substitute against Ghana in the last 16 success.

If the Lyon star does find himself retained again Parreira will likely ask him to carry out more defensive duties than Kaka, who scored against Croatia, allowing the so-far relatively quiet Ronaldinho to operate further forward.