GERMANY will win the World Cup Final for the fourth time in football history, and deservedly, if Brazil do not heed the lessons of the past four weeks.

I believe that one of the cardinal sins committed by too many coaches and players who should have known better, was to assume that a match was won before the first ball had been kicked.

Put yourself in the shoes of these young men. They sign contracts with long rows of zeroes after the figure; they see their picture above the streets on advertising hoardings 50meters high. At that age it is hard to keep your feet down on the sidewalk.

Every match starts, however, with both teams having scored exactly the same number of goals: none. Athletic ability, fighting spirit, self-belief and sheer physical self-sacrifice can sometimes then wipe away the gap in experience and skill.

This much should have been obvious on the first day when Senegal beat France 1-0. This is one of the last opportunities we have to describe the French as ‘World Cup holders’and they have been worthy champions. Over the past four years their positive approach to each and every match has been a delight. But even the best teams are made up of 11 human beings - and that means mistakes can be made.

I do not know whether most blame lay with their players or coaching staff. But France gave the impression that they believed it was enough to walk out onto the pitch for the match to be won. Senegal showed them the error of their ways.

Of course, it was the not the first time the champions had lost the Opening Match. That happened to Argentina in both 1982 and 1990. The surprise here was that the likes of Argentina, Portugal and then Italy committed the same mistake. Just because they are among football's traditional old powers with some of the finest individuals means nothing. If you want to win you must also fight with the commitment of the hungry young boxer.

Of course, I do not mean ‘fight’in terms of some of the arm-wrestling which has spoiled this World Cup. I mean fight in terms of mental attitude. This is my concern for Brazil. Even my German friends say Brazil are clear favourites. Indeed, my old friend Franz Beckenbauer made some highly critical comments about his team earlier in these finals.

My advice to Brazil’s players is to shut their ears to all talk that this is one of the weakest German teams on record. No team which has reached the World Cup Final is weak and, especially, no German team is weak; World Cup history tells us that. Germany sprang one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history in 1954 when they overcame Hungary who had been unbeaten for four years. Today's players will believe they can follow in those footsteps.

I do not want to suggest that Brazil should be intimidated by Germany. Brazil have the greatest record in World Cup history and the highest level of skill in the world. They should pay the Germans due respect for their own achievement in coming this far and then go out to win the Final for the sake of Brazil, for the sake of all Brazil’s Japanese supporters, for the sake of this World Cup and for the sake of football in general.

This first World Cup in Asia will be remembered for all the shocks and upsets, the entertainment and excitement. We should pay full credit to the co-hosts for their work both off and on the pitch. South Korea, under Guus Hiddink have achieved wonders. But that should not overshadow Japan’s enormous progress in a far shorter space of time. Remember, they reached the second round on only their second appearance in the finals.

Full credit, too, to Turkey for playing a mighty role in that superb semi-final in Saitama. They refused to be intimidated by Brazil and came out fully confident in their own ability to win. That made Brazil’s ultimate victory all the more important. Brazil, without Ronaldinho, had to play their best football of the finals.

The continuing improvement in Brazil’s defensive play has been remarkable. They have found a way to release Roberto Carlos on those wonderful surges down the wing without leaving a gap at the back. This will be important against Germany. For example, it was after taking advantage of a gap on the left of the Korean defence that Germany scored their winning goal in Tuesday’s semi-final. They will look to for a repeat against Brazil.

One other crucial point: Brazil must be ruthless. Rivaldo and Ronaldo had some bad luck on Wednesday and the Turkish goalkeeper, Rustu Recber, was superb. But Germany also have a superb goalkeeper in Oliver Kahn. He will not concede goals easily. At any time last Wednesday, Turkey might have snatched an equalizer which could have meant extra time, a golden goal, even penalties.

To lead 1-0 is not enough. A single-goal advantage can be overturned at any time; look at what happened to Italy against Korea. This World Cup demands a brilliant conclusion. Brazil can provide that by not only winning but by winning well. In Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Cafu, Roberto Carlos and the rest they have the players. All they need is to keep their feet on the ground. June 29, 2002