Japan made a disappointing start to its Confederations Cup campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Mexico in their Group B opener on Thursday.
Japan's Takayuki Chano and Mexico's Francisco Fonseca vie for the ball during
their opening match at the Confederations Cup in Hanover, Germany.
Atsushi Yanagisawa fired Japan into a 12th-minute lead at Stadium Hanover but a superb equalizer from Zinha and a second-half header from Jose Fonseca gave Mexico all three points and left Zico's side with an uphill task to reach the semifinals.
World Cup winner Brazil stormed to the top of the group after goals from Adriano, Robinho and substitute Juninho Pernambucano saw it rip apart European champion Greece 3-0 in the day's other match.