No minnows here

Brazil and England revive World Cup rivalry in quarterfinal

Updated: Thursday June 20, 2002 03:47 a.m. ET

SHIZUOKA, Japan (AP) -- It's been called a World Cup for minnows, but Brazil vs. England is strictly a battle of barracudas.

With a host of newcomers making history in the final eight, England and Brazil will revive their World Cup rivalry Friday in a quarterfinal steeped in tradition: The nation that invented soccer plays the sport's most-decorated team.

"This could be the most important game of the Cup," Brazilian winger Roberto Carlos said.

It also pits the tournament's stingiest defense against its most prolific offense. England's back line has allowed just one goal in four games, while Brazil's swarming attack has scored 13, nine by strikers Ronaldo and Rivaldo.

"We respect the English, they have a great team, but we have players who can decide the game at any moment," Rivaldo said.

Brazil has won the World Cup a record four times, England once. Along with three-time champion Germany, they're the only past winners left in a World Cup of upsets and upstarts.

In the other games, Germany takes on the surprising United States, Spain faces co-host South Korea and World Cup newcomer Senegal meets Turkey.

While Brazil holds an edge over England in past meetings, rarely have they been more evenly matched.

"It is always a pleasure to see Brazil play football," England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said. "If you give them the time and space, they are very good. Their attacking is excellent and they have got a lot of individual skill. But maybe they are not as good at defending as they are at attacking.

"I guess that maybe it is the best defense in the World Cup against the best attack. It will be a big battle, but I am very optimistic."

After a disastrous qualifying campaign, Brazil got a late start on World Cup preparations and is just now hitting its stride. Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari calls his team "reasonable to good," but says it's still not playing up to potential.

England, with field general David Beckham and striker Michael Owen, has added a ground game to its air attack. Backed by a granite defense, the English are more dangerous than ever.

"The English style has changed a lot from the old days," said Brazilian defender Edmilson. "It's not only lofting balls into the penalty area. They have a highly technical midfield and quality players that know how to move the ball."

Brazil longs to erase the painful memories of the '98 World Cup, when it reached the final as the heavy favorite, but lost 3-0 to host France. And no one is more eager than Ronaldo, who was ill hours before the final and played poorly.

He already has dispelled any lingering doubts he can still play with the best after a two-year absence following knee surgery. With five goals, he's tied with Germany's Miroslav Klose in the race for the Golden Boot, the award given to the tournament's top scorer.

"This could be my World Cup," Ronaldo said.

For Ronaldinho, the third R in Brazil's Triple R attack, Brazil must use its quickness and fine ball control to penetrate the English defense.

"We can't go body to body with them, because their players are all strong and tall," he said. "We have to be quicker than they are."

Still, Brazilians know it's not just muscle. They have great respect for the opponent's ball-handling skills -- and in particular Beckham. Free kick specialist Roberto Carlos defers to Beckham, and Rivaldo says few players have superior skills.

"He's a fantastic player," Rivaldo said. "He hits the ball so well that the ball on his foot is half a goal."

England is out to match its 1966 achievement, when it won its only World Cup at home.

Rio Ferdinand anchors a defense that blanked Argentina, Nigeria and Denmark and allowed just one goal against Sweden.

Up front, Owen is nursing a groin injury, but is expected to face Brazil.

"I don't think they are worried about playing England," Beckham said. "But then I don't think we are too worried about playing against them, either. That's the sort of confidence we must have."

In their last World Cup meeting in 1970, Brazil eked out a 1-0 win on a goal by Jairzinho. English keeper Gordon Banks made a memorable stop on Pele's header that is widely considered the best save ever in a World Cup.

The Brazilians, who went on to win their third World Cup title, admitted it was their toughest match. And Scolari hopes to have the same fortune.

"Oh, 1-0 is fine," he said.