FIFA Confederations Cup 2013: Players to Watch in Tournament's Opening Match

Brazil and Japan are the two countries primed to open up the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, and both squads will do so with the comfort of one of the spots in the 2014 World Cup next summer. 

Grant Wahl noted as much on Twitter:

The Brazilian side has played eight straight friendlies, going 3-4-1 in that time but coming off an impressive 3-0 win over France on June 9—the last time this new assortment of Luiz Felipe Scolari talent. 

Japan has a draw and a win in their last two matches, both of which were qualifying ones for the World Cup. The Blue Samurai are coming off an embarrassing 4-0 loss to Brazil the last time these two sides met and haven't won one in the last nine such matches. 

With sparks expected to fly as the two open up Confederations Cup play on Saturday afternoon, we can take a closer look at both sides by looking at some players to watch. Check out three below to keep an eye on when things kick off. 

Confederations Cup Saturday Schedule

What: Brazil vs. Japan

When: Saturday, June 15, at 3 p.m. ET

Where: Estadio Nacional de Brazil

*For a complete look at the 2013 Confederations Cup schedule, check out the official FIFA website. 

Players to Watch in Opening Match

Neymar, Brazil

Brazil's new poster boy is also the new star at Barcelona, where he was introduced as a king capable of helping the La Liga side improve upon what was already an 100-point season during the 2012-13 fixture slate. 

With the expectations heaped solely on his shoulders without some notable Brazilians on the national team these days, can he deliver?

As noted by Sports Illustrated (via Church of Soccer on Twitter), there's a good chance the young, budding star could be the face of the World Cup when things are all said and done—Brazil is the host nation:

After scoring 29 goals in 31 matches for Santos FC last season, Neymar has just one in six matches for the Brazilians so far this year. He'll need to pick up the pace against Japan, and will do so in tandem with Oscar to help form the Scolari attack. 

If Neymar can get a goal in front of his home fans and help lead Brazil to victory on Saturday, it would really pick up the momentum for the remaining matches in the tournament and during the march for the Cup. 

Shinji Kagawa, Japan

The pride of Kobe, Japan, had a rough season with Manchester United last year, getting in only 20 Premier League games and scoring just six goals in that span. 

Now with his national team, he has a chance to shine on the big stage, and so far is still looking to get himself on the board for the Blue Samurai after not scoring in four international matches last year, too. 

Facing the strong defense of Dani Alves and Thiago Silva, Kagawa can both prove to new boss David Moyes that he's ready for a larger role at United next season and that he can carry Japan to a Confederations Cup victory with strong play. 

As noted by this Daily Mail piece from Matthew Morlidge, Kagawa wants to be a more integral part of the Red Devils' attack next season, and there's no better place to prove he can do just that than in international play on the biggest stage. 

Hulk, Brazil

Hulk has been the subject of fierce transfer rumours over the past few weeks, including those concerning a move to the Premier League and to the new "hot" franchise abroad—AS Monaco. 

101 Great Goals had this tweet about the latter:

CFC Chelsea FC also posted about Hulk and the Blues' apparent interest in each other following the arrival of Jose Mourinho back to his former club during the transfer window. 

Currently playing in Russia right now for Zenit St Petersburg, Hulk had two goals in Europa League play, one in Champions League play and another for Brazil in the 2012 Olympics. 

He's a name to watch because there are a number of teams reportedly after his services, and others might join with a strong performance. We'll see if he and the Brazilians are the better side in this opening match, or if Japan truly is a sleeper team for the Cup next summer by getting a big win of their own. 

Follow Bleacher Report FC Ethan Grant (@DowntownEG) on Twitter.