The prospect of the Saudi giants making the final of the lucrative World Club Championships, and a likely stab at Liverpool, is fuelling their desire to upset the Brazilians in the first semifinal at the Tokyo National Stadium.

Iordanescu, who has instilled discipline and drive in his charges, is used to big games, having taken his native Romania to two World Cup finals.

He also steered Al Ittihad to two consecutive Asian Champions League titles, seeing off the best that countries like Japan, China and South Korea could throw at them, as well as ending Al Ahly's 18-month winning streak.

Iordanescu admitted that they paid the African champions too much respect in their hard-fought 1-0 victory on Sunday, and a more ruthless approach is expected against the Brazilians.

Sao Paulo coach Paulo Autuori already has egg on his face after tipping Al Ahly to beat Al Ittihad, but will not let this blur his vision. He is conscious though that football-crazy Brazil will settle for nothing less than victory.

And he is not underestimating anyone in the competition.

Sao Paulo, also the champions of Brazil, have twice won the previous version of the club championship, the Intercontinental Cup, by beating Barcelona in 1992 and AC Milan in 1993.

Autuori is expected to start with the same side that won the Copa Libertadores in June against Atletico Paranaense, with the possible addition of striker Grafite who has recovered from knee surgery.