Kleiton Lima, the Brazil coach, has warned his Samba Girls that they need to improve as they clash for supremacy in Group D of the women's World Cup with the former champions Norway today.
Both teams have a strong history in the tournament: the Scandinavians won it in 1995 and Brazil finishing runners-up four years ago.
Both sides won their opening matches, Brazil beating Australia 1-0 and Norway taming Equatorial Guinea by the same score. But both sides were made to work hard by modest competition and will be looking for an improvement.
The tie could also have a potentially pivotal role in deciding who will finish Group D winners, which could help them avoid a possible quarter-final clash against the United States, one of the favourites to win the competition.
Lima said he was hoping for his players to show their true form and for the superstar striker Marta to finally be able to spark the team after the five-time Fifa Player of the Year failed to score against the Mathildas.
"We have to improve," said Lima. "We need Marta but we need the 10 other players. She's a weapon we have and no other team have it but us.
"We need Marta but we need the 10 other players to be victorious."
Emilie Haavi, the Norway striker, conceded that her ninth-ranked side got off to a rusty start against the newcomers Equatorial Guinea.
"We're going to have to do better against Brazil," she said. "However, after that win we're confident now and I'm really excited about that match. Brazil are one of the best teams in women's football."
The teams have met seven times, with Brazil claiming three wins, Norway two and two matches ending in a draw.
In the other Group D match, Australia and Equatorial Guinea will be bidding to keep their World Cup dream alive when they go head to head today.
Tom Sermanni, the Australia coach, said his side must focus on winning their next two games - they face Norway in their last group match on Wednesday.
He said that his players will take positives from their defeat against Brazil.
"We now need to focus on our next game and look to win our games against Equatorial Guinea and Norway and then hopefully proceed from there," he said.
Equatorial Guinea know they played well against Norway but also know they need to believe in themselves more against Australia.
The African side's coach, Marcello Frigerio, said: "I think we will have our chances in the attack against Australia. This time we need to use them."
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