Updated: Friday June 21, 2002 12:35 AM ET	Fri June 21 Games England 1 Brazil 2 - FINAL Germany 1 United States 0 - FINAL
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Brazil vs. England

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SHIZUOKA, Japan (Ticker) -- One "Moore" time, England "Pele's" Brazil in the World Cup.

Just over 32 years after their memorable first-round showdown at the 1970 tournament, England battles Brazil Friday in the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup.

The famous match in Guadalajara, Mexico on June 7, 1970 pitted England captain Bobby Moore, the legendary anchor of the best defensive team in the world at the time, against the one and only Pele. He masterfully orchestrated the attack for perhaps the greatest team in World Cup history.

Despite holding its opponents scoreless in its other two first-round games, reigning World Cup champion England lost its 1970 encounter with Brazil, 1-0, before falling to West Germany in the quarterfinals in a rematch of the 1966 final.

Jairzinho collected the lone goal of that match, helping him become the only player to score in every game of a World Cup tournament.

Well, two superstars of the current Brazilian side are on course to match Jairzinho's feat. Ronaldo and Rivaldo tallied on Monday in Brazil's 2-0 win over Belgium in the round of 16. The FIFA World Player of the Year in 1996 and 1997, Ronaldo has collected five goals in four matches so far. The FIFA World Player of the Year in 1999, Rivaldo has four in as many games, as well as a pair of assists.

The two Brazilian superstars are joined by Ronaldinho to form the so-called "Three R's." They not only spearhead the highest scoring unit in the tournament with 13 goals, but also continue the Brazilian legacy of playing "The Beautiful Game," which was nearly perfected by Pele, Jairzinho and company and carried on by such remarkably skillful players as Zico and Romario.

By contrast, the English players of 2002 have rediscovered the sort of defensive play that has led many to compare them to their forefathers of the 1966-1970 generation.

After finishing its opening match in a 1-1 tie against Sweden -- a team no "Three Lions" lineup has beaten since before the 1970 World Cup -- England has recorded three consecutive shutouts against tournament favorite Argentina (1-0), "Group of Death" foe Nigeria (0-0) and Denmark (3-0), the conquerer of reigning World Cup champion France.

While the 2002 England team is measured up to the 1970 group, Rio Ferdinand is being hailed as perhaps the nation's best defender since Moore, whose decision-making ability, elegance and sheer mastery of his opponent are all qualities that the 23-year-old Ferdinand has exhibited on the world stage.

Also in 1970, England goalkeeper Gordon Banks pulled off one of the great saves in World Cup history, denying Pele on a 10th-minute header. David Seaman has allowed just one goal in four matches for England.

But Brazil has something with which other famous sides from that country have not been blessed -- quality goalkeeping. Marcos had four saves en route to recording a clean sheet against Belgium.

So this battle within the war -- pitting the offensive artistry of Brazil against the defensive mastery of England -- may wind up as a draw due to the world-class quality of both units. If that is the case, then the skirmish between the Brazilian defense and the English attack may decide this encounter.

As is typical with Brazilian back lines, its offensive attributes are superb, but its defensive qualities leave much to be desired. Wing backs Roberto Carlos and Cafu have produced numerous scintillating runs. Defender Edmilson also scored the most spectacular goal of the World Cup so far -- his bicycle-kick effort against Costa Rica.

However, the Central Americans netted a pair in their 5-2 loss to Brazil and created many more quality opportunities off corners and free kicks into the area.

In Michael Owen and David Beckham, England has players capable of taking advantage of Brazil's defensive struggles.

Owen, who announced himself to the world at France '98 with his memorable goal against Argentina, scored his first of the 2002 event in Saturday's round-of-16 drubbing of Denmark.

For both his club and country, the 22-year-old striker already has displayed a penchant for raising his game on big occasions. Owen scored twice on May 12, 2001, as Liverpool rallied to beat Arsenal, 2-1, in the FA Cup final. Then on September 1, 2001 in Munich, Owen notched a hat trick in England's famous 5-1 rout of Germany in their crucial World Cup qualification showdown.

Those two performances helped Owen earn the 2001 European Footballer of the Year award.

Beckham, a finalist for 2001 FIFA World Player of the Year honors, is frightening to opponents in dead-ball situations. The Manchester United midfielder's consistently accurate corner kicks already have produced headed goals from central defenders Sol Campbell and Ferdinand. Having seemed to have fully recovered from his broken left foot, Beckham's free-kick prowess is bound to show itself sooner or later.