Brazil vs. England in classic matchup

SHIZUOKA, Japan, June 20 (UPI) -- More than three decades after the two countries played what is considered one of the most memorable World Cup matches ever, England and Brazil go at it again Friday with a spot in the semifinals on the line.

With potential champions France, Argentina and Italy having been eliminated from the tournament, the winner of the England-Brazil game will take on the role as the favorite to win it all.

"We've got to play the game of our lives to win," said England's Sol Campbell.

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.

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.

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

The two Brazilians 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."

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, England has recorded three consecutive shutouts against tournament favorite Argentina (1-0), Nigeria (0-0) and Denmark (3-0).

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 and 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, Costa Rica scored twice in its 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 Sept. 1, 2001 in Munich, Owen notched a hat trick in England's 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.