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GOIANIA, Brazil -- Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said Brazils victory over France in its last match before the Confederations Cup has put the team on the right track to win the World Cup warm-up tournament for the third time in a row. Without playing superbly, Brazil showed enough improvement on Sunday in its 3-0 win compared to past matches to end its official preparations for the Confederations Cup on a high note. "We needed this victory," Scolari said. "It gave us more confidence just at the right time." Brazil opens the Confederations Cup against Japan on Saturday in Brasilia, the nations capital. It will then face Mexico and Italy in the group stage. Brazil has won the tournament three times in total: in Saudi Arabia in 1997, in Germany in 2005 and in South Africa in 2009. "This victory is a good first step for us as we approach the Confederations Cup," the coach said. "It shows we have a competitive team which can contend for the title." Brazil had some disappointing results after Scolari returned to the national team in December. It had previouslt won only one match -- against Bolivia -- and drawn with Italy, Russia and Chile. The team also played England twice, losing 2-1 in London and drawing 2-2 at the revamped Maracana last week. Sundays result in the southern city of Porto Alegre ended Brazils 21-year winless run against France, and gave the "Selecao" its first victory over a former World Cup champion in nearly four years. "After this victory the players will feel more confident," Scolari said. "They know of their potential and now they know that this team can win." Chelsea playmaker Oscar and substitute midfielders Hernanes and Lucas scored Brazils goals at the Arena Gremio. "The players who got in finished what the others had started," Scolari said. "Its good to know that we have balance in the squad." The coach said the victory was also important to get the fans to support Brazil again following the series of poor results. The national team was loudly jeered recently at home and Scolari has been calling for the publics support, saying it will be crucial to play well. "Our fans reacted wonderfully in a difficult match against a good team like France," Scolari said. "We need this push from them." Local media also praised the national team. "Brazil wins and gains strength for the Confederations Cup," read an O Globo newspaper front-page headline on Monday. Scolari said having the team practicing together for a longer period played a role in the teams improvement. "We had seven days together and now we will have another week, which will certainly make a difference again," the coach said. Scolari said he will likely play the same 11 from the France match in the opener against Japan. Brazil hasnt won a significant title since the 2009 Confederations Cup in South Africa. Hoodies China . But what about the officials? Every sport has officials and they also have stories about hard work and sacrifice but their accomplishments are seldom recognized by anyone outside their inner circle. Stitched Hoodies . -- PGA TOUR Canada member Steve Saunders took a three-stroke lead Saturday in the Web. http://www.hoodiescheap.com/ .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. Wholesale Hoodies . The Cincinnati Reds remain perfect with their speedy rookie outfielder in the starting lineup. Wholesale Authentic Hoodies . The 29-year-old Baines has established himself as one of the top attacking full backs in the country and was the subject of two bids from United during the last off-season. Everton manager Roberto Martinez says that keeping Baines at the club is a "massive boost and exciting for the future" because he brings "maturity and football knowledge in a very specialized position on the pitch" and an "infectious and positive influence to the rest of the squad. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Martin Flores won the Lincoln Land Charity Championship on Sunday for his first Web.com Tour title to wrap up a PGA Tour card.The 34-year-old former Oklahoma player closed with a 4-under 67 for a two-stroke victory over four players. He finished at 22-under 262 at Panther Creek and earned $99,000 to jump from 11th to fourth on the money list with $249,431. The top 25 at end of the regular season will earn PGA Tour cards.Flores had two birdies and an eagle -- on the par-5 seventh -- on the front nine. He bogeyed the par-3 14th, birdied the par-5 15th and closed with three pars.FFlores had his fifth top-four finish of the year.dddddddddddd He tied for third in the Panama Claro Championship and Louisiana Open and was fourth in the Brazil Champions and El Bosque Mexico Championship.Third-round leader Wesley Bryant had a 70 tie for second. The money leader with $332,392, hes trying to win for the third time this season to earn an immediate PGA Tour promotion.Jonathan Randolph (63), JT Poston (64) and Casey Wittenberg (67) also finished at 20 under. ' ' '