Japan v Mexico: Toothless El Tri to go home pointless

Shinji Okazaki scores a header against Italy

In stark contrast to the glamorous tie between Italy and Brazil taking place at the same time, this is very much a matter of pride in Group A...

Japan v Mexico, Saturday 20:00, BBCi, Match Odds: Japan 2.767/4, Mexico 2.68/5, The Draw 3.55/2 

Both nations would have arrived in Brazil harbouring great hopes of progressing to the semi-finals, but now all they have left to play for is Group A's wooden spoon.

For Mexico it's been a lack of cutting edge which has cost them dear, a theme they've carried throughout 2013 in both friendlies and qualifying.

Up front we are used to seeing a beaming Javier Hernandez for Manchester United yet Chicharito has cut an isolated and dejected figure at times in the green of Mexico. 

The baby-faced front man just hasn't received the necessary service and it was no surprise to see El Tri draw a blank for the fifth time in their last seven games against Brazil.

It's no good going 13 games unbeaten prior to the Confederation Cup if eight of those games finish with the spoils being shared. 

Meanwhile, Japan showed a marked improvement from their own laboured opening performance against Brazil by racing into a two-goal lead versus Italy.

Despite then losing their heads for five minutes either side of the break, which allowed the Azzurri to score three times, Japan were recognisably the better side and desperately unlucky to lose it late on.

On the evidence of that performance against Italy alone, it's the Asian champions which have more to build on and Japan can send the toothless Mexicans home empty handed. 

Best Bet: Back Japan to beat Mexico @ 2.77/4

To Score 

Japan came out of their shells against Italy and showed just what a slick attacking force they can be on their day. With Manchester United's Shinji Kagawa pulling the strings the Samurai Blue displayed great technique in keeping the ball and creating chances.

The man to polish those opportunities off is Stuttgart striker Shinji Okazaki. That goal against Italy was his second in three appearances for Japan and his third in his seven for his country.