The precocious flair of Robinho against the midfield mastery of Zinha is what's on offer when Brazil clash with Mexico in the Confederations Cup. Robinho, the latest prodigy to fall off the Samba production line, earned high praise after a dazzling display in the world champion's opening 3-0 win over Greece on Thursday. That left Carlos Alberto Parreira's team top of Group B and victory over second-placed Mexico would see them all but assured of a berth in the semi-finals. Brazil, who need three points from their last three qualifiers to secure their World Cup ticket, could be forgiven for approaching this game with revenge weighing heavy on their minds after losing to Mexico 4-3 in the 1999 Confed Cup final. While Parreira is unhindered by injury concerns his opposite number Ricardo Lavolpe looks set once again have to make do without his talismanic offensive defender Rafael Marquez, who appears to have lost his race against time to recover from a muscle injury. For the pint-sized Zinha, whose goal in Mexico's 2-1 win over Japan on Thursday took the breath away, this match has added significance as he is taking on his fellow countrymen. "I can't think of myself as Brazilian. I'll defend Mexico's colours to the death," said the Sao Paulo-born playmaker who was encouraged to take up Mexican citizenship by Lavolpe. The CONCACAF champions' high ball strategy worked a treat against Zico's Japan but is unlikely to reap such rewards against a back row marshalled by AC Milan's Dida - who played in the 1999 final - in goal. Despite the exuberance on show against the Greeks, Parreira knows Mexico - with Zinha feeding Jared Borgetti and Francisco Fonseca in attack - represent an altogether more dangerous foe. "The Mexicans have a very different footballing background to the Greeks. They knock the ball about better and theyre more dangerous in possession. "While Greece place great store on steely defending, Mexico rely on a more measured approach. We are going to need to keep our wits about us," Parreira said. Lavolpe, who with his gaucho-style moustache and ever-present cigarette hanging from his lips could quite easily fill a lead role in a spaghetti western, is a noted strategist and will have been up all night at Mexico's plush team hotel deep in the heart of the lower Saxony countryside plotting Robinho and world footballer of the year Ronaldinho's downfall. Summing up his game-plan for Sunday's match the Argentinian said: "Keeping the ball - if you give it to the Brazilians, they will kill you, so you have to keep it for as long as possible."