South Africa stifiled Luis Fabiano, left, and the rest of Brazil for most of the semifinal, something the Selecao want to avoid in the final against the United States. South Africa stifiled Luis Fabiano, left, and the rest of Brazil for most of the semifinal, something the Selecao want to avoid in the final against the United States. (Antonio Scorza/AFP/Getty Images)

Looking to avoid the problems it had against South Africa, Brazil enters the Confederations Cup final against the United States hoping the Americans don't focus solely on defence.

Brazil struggled against the hosts in the semifinals of the soccer tournament, and the team is afraid it may find more difficulties against the Americans if they crowd the midfield and sit back on defence like South Africa did.

"I don't think the U.S. team will stay in defence like South Africa did," Brazil striker Luis Fabiano said. "They will try to attack.

"They already lost a match to us and will want to win this one. And when they attack, we will have more space. Brazil is dangerous and knows how to play on counterattack. That's when the scoring opportunities will appear."

With South Africa playing aggressive defence and marking efficiently, Brazil had problems holding on to the ball and created few dangerous scoring opportunities. The Brazilians won only after an 88th-minute free kick goal by substitute Daniel Alves.

The U.S. played with the same intensity as South Africa when it upset Spain 2-0 in the other semifinal match on Wednesday. The Brazilians said the stunning victory against the European champions may motivate Team USA to try come after Brazil, too.

"They eliminated the favourite team, and that brings them confidence," Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar said. "I think this is good for us. Everybody saw the difficulties we had against South Africa. I hope it's an open match [Sunday], because we have the players who know how to use the space."

Brazil dominated first game

Sunday's contest at Ellis Park in Johannesburg will be a rematch of the teams' group stage encounter, when Brazil cruised to a 3-0 victory in Pretoria. The United States allowed an early goal and was forced to forgo its defensive tactics to try to equalize.

"They wanted to play on defence and rely on counterattacks, but when they allowed the goal, they had to change their tactics, and that helped us," said Brazilian midfielder Felipe Melo, who scored Brazil's first goal in that match in the seventh minute. "We need to try to score as early as possible again."

Another victory would be Brazil's 14th in 15 matches against the U.S., whose lone win was a 1-0 result in the 1998 CONCACAF Gold Cup in Los Angeles.

Brazil is also trying to keep alive a seven-match winning streak and a 15-match unbeaten streak. It hasn't lost since a 2-0 defeat at Paraguay in a World Cup qualifier in June 2008.

Brazilian coach Dunga is likely to keep the same lineup from the semifinals against South Africa. Andre Santos is expected to start at left back even though Alves successfully replaced him to give Brazil the late winner. Maicon is expected to play on the right.

Luis Fabiano said he has a flu and had trouble sleeping after the match against South Africa because of high fever, but should be ready to play on Sunday.

Defending champion Brazil has a chance to become the first nation to win three Confederations Cup titles, one more than France.

Nine Brazilian players can repeat as champions after the 2005 title in Germany — Maicon, Lucio, Robinho, Kaka, Juan, Luisao, Gilberto Silva, Julio Baptista and Gomes.