Japan captain Tsuneyasu Miyamoto has demanded a clean sheet in the Asian champion's final warmup for the World Cup against minnow Malta on Sunday.
Japan squandered a two-goal lead after a double lapse of concentration on set-pieces in an absorbing 2-2 draw against World Cup host Germany in Leverkusen on Tuesday.
"We don't really know a great deal about Malta, but it's very important that we defend solidly and head into the World Cup on the back of a clean sheet," Miyamoto said.
Japan will be looking to bolster confidence with a resounding win over the Maltese, who are more than 100 spots below Zico's men in the world rankings.
But Zico is almost certain to be missing Naohiro Takahara, a two-goal hero against Germany, and striking partner Atsushi Yanagisawa, who are both carrying injuries.
Takahara (knee) has trained separately from the team the last three days while Yanagisawa, who has looked razor-sharp since recovering from a broken metatarsal, sat out Friday's practice after pulling a hamstring in his right leg.
However, the injuries are not thought to be too serious and Miyamoto is hoping Takahara, Yanagisawa and right-winger Akira Kaji (ankle) will all be fit for Japan's opening Group F match against Australia in Kaiserslautern on June 12.
Kaji was stretchered off after an ugly tackle from behind by Bastian Schweinsteiger late in the first half of the Germany match.
"The injuries are piling up, but hopefully we'll have everyone fit and raring to go before we play our first match," said Miyamoto.