Scolari, speaking ahead of Brazil’s opening Confederations Cup game against Japan, recalled his time with Portugal, when they lost the opening match of the European Championships they hosted in 2004.
“It is absolutely terrible to play the first match at home and lose it, it really is,” Scolari said.
“When Portugal lost the opening game to Greece in Porto in 2004 it was awful. You have nine points you are playing for in the first phase and losing that makes everything difficult, you create a bad situation for yourself.
“We have to win this opening match. I do not agree with people who say Japan are not a skilful team with no history.
“They are the first team to qualify for the 2014 World Cup so they will be very difficult opponents. If we lose…we will have to do what we did in Portugal and win the next two games to qualify.”
