Defending World Cup champions Brazil need to take a cautious approach into Germany this year, former Brazilian soccer star Pele said on Thursday.
"Brazil are good, no doubt, four months before the World Cup they are the best team," Pele said during a promotional visit to Australia and hours after Brazil beat Russia 1-0 in a friendly on a Ronaldo goal.
"Brazil have two players in each position who are very good. But in the World Cup, sometimes it takes just one game for you to go out. In `82 Brazil were the best team in the first round then they lost and went out their next game."
He also said upsets are a feature of the World Cup.
"The last World Cup, everybody said France were the champions of the world, champions of Europe, they were the best team," added Pele, who is 65.
"But they went out in the first round."
Australia, making their first appearance in a World Cup tournament in 32 years, are drawn with Brazil at the finals in Group F, along with Japan and Croatia.
Pele, who led Brazil to World Cup titles in 1958, 1962 and 1970, said Australia would be wrong to go for broke and attack at all costs.
"So many games now ... teams are very, very careful — even Brazil," said Pele, who scored 1,281 goals in 1,363 matches, including 77 goals in 92 internationals.
{{/usCountry}}"So many games now ... teams are very, very careful — even Brazil," said Pele, who scored 1,281 goals in 1,363 matches, including 77 goals in 92 internationals.
{{/usCountry}}"I don't expect this World Cup to be all about attack ... that's the reason I think it's not a good idea for Australia to come and play too forward," he said. "I don't think it's a good idea the way football is today."