World Cup hopefuls Germany and Japan have a chance to find out where they stand less than a fortnight before the finals when they lock horns in a friendly match at the BayArena today.

Host nation Germany crushed minnows Luxembourg 7-0 on Saturday to boost confidence but are likely to face a much stiffer test of their credentials against Asian champions Japan.

Germany open the World Cup on June 9 against Costa Rica in Munich and have just two friendlies - against Japan and then Colombia on June 2 - to galvanize team spirit.

"The players need to carry out the tactics we have been practising in training," Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann said.

"We want to get the ball forward quickly and need to start doing this.

"I am trying to make it clear to the players that this is a unique experience that will never happen again."

German international captain Michael Ballack missed the Luxembourg game with an ankle injury and is uncertain to face Japan.

Klinsmann used six substitutes in the last warm-up match and could give his fringe players a chance to shine again in Leverkusen.

Borussia Dortmund midfielder David Odonkor, 22, is still waiting for his first cap and could get the nod against Japan.

Not much is expected of Japan, quarter-finalists at the last World Cup, but their Brazilian coach Zico has set a semi-final spot as the target and hopes to find out how far his team have progressed after the Germany encounter.

"We have come to Germany to win," explained Zico. "This is a hard test for us. But at least we will know where we are at after the game."

Japan have a tough World Cup group with Croatia, Australia and holders Brazil, for whom Zico scored 52 goals in 72 internationals.

The Japan team landed at Frankfurt airport on Friday before settling in at their World Cup training base in Bonn and defender Tsuneyasu Miyamoto fears jet lag.

"The most important thing we need to do is get over the jet lag," said Miyamoto. "If we can do that, we can give Germany a tough game."

It will be a special game for Japan striker Naohiro Takahara who plays his football in Germany with SV Hamburg, although he has agreed to join Eintracht Frankfurt for next season.

"We have had a good preparation and now we are ready for the World Cup," explained Takahara. "We are very confident ahead of this match."

Source: China Daily