The Qantas Joeys' FIFA U-17 World Cup Mexico 2011 campaign may only be one game in, but they are set to face arguably one of the most momentous tests in the competition when they meet three time FIFA U-17 World Cup winners and Group F favourites Brazil on Thursday 23 June 2011 (local time) at Estadio Guadalajara.
While facing a Brazil team that won the South American U-17 title on their way to this FIFA U-17 World Cup and inflicted a 3-nil defeat on Denmark in their first match of the tournament appears a daunting prospect, the Qantas Joeys have reason to believe a positive result is not beyond doubt.
A first up win over Côte d'Ivoire has given the Qantas Joeys an early foothold in their group, and released any tension that could have been evident if Australia entered the match against Brazil with no points to its name.
Qantas Joeys Head Coach Jan Versleijen was relieved more than pleased after his team was second best but came out in front against Côte d'Ivoire, and thinks the result will help to settle his players' nerves and give them the confidence to take the game up to their more fancied opponents.
"You always like to win your first game in the group and that's what we did, although the football was not that high from our expectations and I think were a little bit lucky," Versleijen said.
Typically, Brazil has a squad flourishing with talent, particularly in attack. Striker Ademilson scored twice against Denmark and is sure to provide a handful for Qantas Joeys central defensive pairing Connor Chapman and Tom King, while Brazil has a host of other players able to cut teams apart.
While Versleijen is well aware of the South Americans' capabilities, he says his team will definitely not let Brazil have it all their own way and is planning to take one, if not three points from the game to guarantee the Qantas Joeys' passage into the knockout stage.
"I rate Brazil as the strongest team in this group, so that means our players have to step up even more than they did against Côte d'Ivoire," Versleijen said.
"From what I saw from the Brazilians, they are very smart. Any weaknesses you have in your team, they are able to use it and benefit from it."
"Sometimes they give you the idea that you're still in the game, but you have to remain alert, so that's one of our biggest challenges, to concentrate 100 per cent for the whole 90 minutes. Of course we like to attack, but attack at the moments we can attack, because if you leave too much space behind, that will be very helpful for Brazil."
"I think Brazil has a good team but if we already knew before the game that Brazil would win, we shouldn't even bother playing the game. I think we will be a big challenge for Brazil and we will try to give everything we have."
"If you start counting, we already have three points, and to qualify for the next stage we need one more point, so I hope we can achieve that in this game."
One thing for sure is that Brazil will certainly not be underestimating Australia, if the thoughts of Brazil's Head Coach Emerson Avila are anything to go by.
The U-17 Seleção boss admitted he was impressed and also taken by surprise by the style of football the Qantas Joeys tried to implement in their first match, saying he had a ‘great respect' for how Australia tries to play.
Regardless of win, lose or draw tomorrow, Versleijen says each World Cup fixture would continue to be an invaluable experience for his group, and the expectations would continue to rise with each performance.
"Even the games at this stage in the group phase are a big learning situation for our players, and you're talking about players at 15, 16 and 17 years of age, so I think up to now we're doing well and also that we can do better and we have to do better," Versleijen said.
The Qantas Joeys have given one of the tournament favourites an almighty scare as they were edged out 0-1 by Brazil at Estadio Guadalajara in their second Group F match of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Mexico 2011.
The Qantas Joeys more than held their own against the South Americans in what was a vast improvement on Tuesday's performance against Côte d'Ivoire, in which they ironically won. This time was the opposite as the Qantas Joeys did enough to get something from the contest, but were left with nothing to show for it.
World Cup matches can often be decided by a single defining moment, and the one that decided this game, cruelly for the Joeys, came courtesy of an exceptional 76th minute free kick from Brazilian number 10 Adryan.
Despite the loss, Qantas Joeys Head Coach Jan Versleijen was significantly more satisfied than after his team's first match, as they predominantly followed the game plan down to a tee to close down Brazil's strengths and capitalise on their weaknesses.
All that was missing was a result that would have confirmed the Qantas Joeys in the next round, which will now depend on their final group match against Denmark on Sunday.
"I think we were well prepared, the way we like to play against Brazil," Versleijen said.
"We knew also that we would be under pressure because they (Brazil) have players who are able to play combinations, beat people and their counter attack is very dangerous, so until the free kick in front of the goal I was very happy with the way we could deal with Brazil."
"Even in the first 20 minutes we had a few opportunities. In any game you will get opportunities and if you have a chance you have to take them."
"Of course I would be happy if it was nil-all as it would mean we already qualified for the next round, so now we have to try and do it in the next game. But I am happy with the way we played, I'm also happy with the way we executed the game plan and I'd like to congratulate Brazil because they have a really good team that is difficult to beat."
There was just one change to the Qantas Joeys' starting XI that defeated Côte d'Ivoire, Riley Woodcock replacing Jake Monaco at right back, while Teeboy Kamara was unavailable due to an ankle problem.
Brazil started brightly but the Qantas Joeys also had their moments in a tense opening 15 minutes, Connor Chapman with a nervous moment when Adryan went to ground from the Joeys captains' challenge in the penalty area, but the referee signalled play on.
A minute later Hernan Espindola had Australia's first quality chance when a fine build up gave the Joeys numbers on the left, the Argentinean-born midfielder's left footed effort just going wide.
The Qantas Joeys continued to ask questions of the Brazil defence as they utilised the space out wide and with Brazil's intent to attack on the counter, it seemed only a matter of time that a goal would come either way.
In form striker Dylan Tombides tested Charles with a well hit strike in the 32nd minute which the Brazilian keeper managed to control, the Joeys unable to find a first half goal, but at the same time there was no damage done at the other end.
There was another stinging effort from Tombides that flashed over the crossbar and an on target shot from Espindola that went straight into the keepers arms within minutes of the resumption as the Qantas Joeys continued to press without a breakthrough.
Corey Brown then produced a goal saving block in a golden chance for Adryan, the Joeys' organisation and discipline continuing to frustrate the Brazilians.
Australian hearts were in mouths just after the hour mark when Paul Izzo failed to grasp a cross from the left and with an open net and just Tombides at his beckoning, Marlon Bica side footed his close range volley straight into the Qantas Joeys striker's chest in what appeared a certainty to break the deadlock.
Versleijen made a double change in the 66th minute bringing Milos Degenek and Mitchell Oxborrow on for Yianni Perkatis and Espindola.
The deciding moment of the match then arrived in the 76th minute when Brazil won a free kick just outside the penalty area. From the dead ball Adryan sent a fizzing, curling shot into the top corner of the net, giving Izzo no chance and ending Australia's stubborn resistance.
A Mitch Cooper volley from 23 metres almost gave the Qantas Joeys a deserved leveller and would have capped off a fine performance from the Gold Coast based winger, but it was not to be as the Aussies experienced the varying emotions of a World Cup within their opening two games.
In the other group F match, Côte d'Ivoire defeated Denmark 4-2 to move into second position and move the Qantas Joeys into third.
With three points already, progression to the knockout phase is still a possibility for the Qantas Joeys, and if they play similarly to how they played against Brazil when they tackle Denmark in Queretaro on Sunday, there is every chance of that happening.