Zico spoke on a TV interview about the support he enjoys from fans in his home country, saying that some fans will secretly support his efforts with the Japanese national football team.

Japan is seeded in the last spot of Brazil's Group F, along with Croatia and Australia. Group F has many peculiarities, mainly because of the relations between those countries.

There are thousands of Japanese people living in Brazil and vice-versa. Also there are many players of Croatian origin in Australia's World Cup Squad and vice-versa, although these two do not share the same friendly atmosphere.

"Flamengo fans will root for me... Not against Brazil, but for me," Zico said, referring to his career as a player in the ranks of the team. Flamengo won five Brazilian League titles with Zico, while he also played in the 1978, 1982 and 1986 World Cup tournaments for Brazil.

Zico believes that the fact they were seeded with the World Champions might prove an asset for Japan. "My big smile when we fell in Brazil's group was just because of that... I knew this would happen," he said.

Zico admitted he will be emotional when the Brazilian national anthem is played, but during their clash with the World Champions his focus will stay with Japan.

"I'll be very emotional, especially when they play the Brazilian anthem. Before the game, my heart wavers. I have a history for the national team. But it ends when the game starts to roll."

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