BERLIN -- The Brothers Kovac refused to be downbeat after Croatia's 1-0 loss to Brazil on Wednesday and warned that Japan could face the backlash in their meeting on June 18.

News photoJapan forward Seiichiro Maki controls the ball during the national team's practice session in Bonn on Tuesday.

Croatian siblings Robert and Niko both played against the five-time champion Brazilians in Berlin in which a stunning first-half strike from AC Milan's Kaka separated the two sides.