Brazil-Germany battle Tuesday midnight

DHAKA: Host Brazil will face Germany in the first semi-final of the World Cup-2014 in the 61st match of the tournament.

The heart-breathing match will be held at 2:00am Wednesday at Belo Horizonte.  

Brazil has already lost its two major players Neymar and skipper Silva for the match.

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari says his side will cope without injured striker Neymar when they face Germany in Tuesday's match. 

The 22-year-old has scored four of Brazil's eight goals at the tournament but will play no further part after he suffered a fractured vertebra in the 2-1 quarter-final win over Colombia. 

Scolari said his squad were fully focused on the task at hand.

"Neymar has done his share. Now it's up to us to do our share," the coach said.

"We have accepted what has happened and we are focusing on other things.  

Neymar injured his back following a challenge by Colombia's Juan Zuniga and Fifa confirmed on Monday that no action would be taken against the defender. 

Captain Thiago Silva, who is suspended for Tuesday's game, reflected the anger within Brazil's squad at the manner of their talisman's injury when he called Zuniga's tackle "a coward's challenge".

On the other hand, Germany coach Joachim Low has insisted World Cup semi-final opponents Brazil will not be weakened by the absences of Neymar and Thiago Silva.                                

Meanwhile, the five-time world champions had an appeal to have Silva's suspension overturned after he was booked in the quarter-final rejected.        

However, Low is adamant that the absences will not hinder Luiz Felipe Scolari's side, but could motivate them.   

BDST: 0855 HRS, JUL 08, 2014

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