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Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari believes key rivals Argentina, Italy and even France will join his team in the World Cup second round.

His bold prediction came after Brazil secured a place in the last 16 courtesy of a 1-1 draw Sunday between Group C rivals Costa Rica and Turkey.

The result leaves Brazil with six points and one game to play. Costa Rica have four points and Turkey one. China prop up the group table.

"We have completed our first goal," he said of qualification. "We have made our first steps but there are still many steps on the road to the final."

Brazil have firmed as favourites for the title after first round stumbles by France, Argentina and Italy.

Defending champions France are fighting for survival after losing to Senegal and drawing with Uruguay. Argentina lost to England and Italy went down 2-1 to Croatia.

Scolari though thinks they have what it takes to make the second round.

"I think France, Argentina and Italy will all qualify," he said at the Brazilian team hotel in Ulsan.

"I think tradition, quality, the difficulties they had in the first two games will give them determination for the third match and I think all three will move to the next round."

While Brazil are safely through, he cautioned that nothing had been won yet.

"For us we still haven't won anything, we have just put ourselves in the next round," he said.

Brazil though are starting to find their feet after losing six games during qualifying.

In their 4-0 win over China in Seogwipo late Saturday there were signs that all the old confidence and arrogance was flowing back.

Confidence is growing to the extent that the latest opinion poll carried out by the Folha de Sao Paulo daily has 57 percent of people saying that Brazil will win an unprecedented fifth title.

The bookies are also impressed with Ladbrokes, the world's biggest betting agency, installing Brazil as 11/4 favourites following Italy's collapse against Croatia.

Source (Soccerdaily)