Despite some experimentation with Neymar at center forward earlier in the year, he'll play in his normal wide forward spot for Brazil in their Confederations Cup opener against Japan. The Japanese have decided to pick no true center forwards in an attempt to get their best team on the field, opting to play regular wide forward Shinji Okazaki -- who has plenty of experience at striker and 33 goals for his country -- up top.
Brazil vs. Japan, 2013 Confederations Cup: Lineups
Japan will start Shinji Okazaki up top in place of any of their true center forwards, while Brazil have picked Fred and will start Neymar out wide.
Dean Mouhtaropoulos
Luiz Gustavo gets a bit of a surprise nod in the center over Fernando. Sandro, Romulo and Ralf are all absent from Brazil's roster for the competition for various reasons. Japan's team contains no other surprises.
Brazil starting lineup (4-3-3): Julio Cesar; Marcelo, Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Dani Alves; Luiz Gustavo, Paulinho, Oscar; Neymar, Fred, Hulk
Japan starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Eiji Kawashima; Yuto Nagatomo, Yasuyuki Konno, Maya Yoshida, Atsuto Uchida; Makoto Hasebe, Yasuhito Endo; Shinji Kagawa, Keisuke Honda, Hiroski Kiyotake; Shinji Okazaki
Kickoff is at 3 p.m, ET from the Mane Garrincha national stadium in Brasilia. You can catch the game on ESPN in the U.S., BBC Three in the U.K. and CBC in Canada.
More in Soccer:
See More:
