England will once again meet Luiz Felipe Scolari when they meet Portugal in the World Cup quarterfinal. Sides managed by Scolari have knocked England out of the last two major tournaments - Brazil in the 2002 World Cup, and Portugal at Euro 2004.
The man known as 'Big Phil' was also approached to take over from current England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson before the FA eventually chose Steve McClaren. Portugal beat Holland 1-0 to set up Saturday's match in Gelsenkirchen. Scolari's hopes of adding to his successes against Sven-Goran Eriksson with Brazil in 2002 and Portugal two years ago have been complicated by events here. Absent will be Costinha, his first-choice holding midfielder, and Deco, the talented midfield schemer, after they received two of the evening's four red cards. Possibly absent will be Cristiano Ronaldo after he went off early with a thigh injury.
Scolari will now have met England at the quarter-final stage in each of the last three major tournaments. Two years ago at Euro 2004 the Portugal team managed by Scolari drew 1-1 after 90 minutes with Sven-Goran Eriksson's England, then 2-2 after 120 minutes, before eventually winning on penalties.
Friends and foes: Club mates facing each other
Joe Cole v Paulo Ferreira Cole has been one of England's best players in Germany, scoring with a stunning volley against Sweden and setting up Steven Gerrard's goal in the same game. He will be confident of getting the better of his club team-mate - if Ferreira plays. The Chelsea defender has been kept out of the team by Miguel and has played only 29 minutes in the tournament.
John Terry v Ricardo Carvalho Both will have important roles for their teams at the heart of their defences but they are likely to come up against each other only at set pieces. Neither Chelsea player, however, poses much threat - they have the same statistics at international level: one goal in 28 appearances. Terry, however, is generally more dangerous for his club from set-pieces.
Gary Neville v Cristiano Ronaldo Could be an intriguing - and crucial - contest if the right-back recovers from injury to play instead of Owen Hargreaves. Ronaldo, who limped off in the first half last night, has been given a key role in Portugal's offensive play, offering speed to complement Luis Figo's inventiveness and Pauleta's opportunism in the penalty area, and must be kept under close control.
David Beckham v Luis Figo Figo has had a very good season with Internazionale after leaving Real Madrid last summer and has been one of Portugal's best players in Germany, putting in a man-of-the-match performance against Iran, in which he set up Deco for the opening goal. Beckham will need to track back and help his right-back if Figo switches sides with Ronaldo.
At the last World Cup, in 2002, Scolari was coach of the Brazilian team that knocked England out at the quarter-final stage - Ronaldinho's famous long-range free-kick eluding David Seaman for the winner in a 2-1 win. But "Big Phil" Scolari, who has yet to lose a game in a World Cup and led Brazil to the title in 2002, is unlikely to roll over at the sight of a few injuries and suspensions and in fact seems more determined than ever.
The Lads must win against Portugal if they hope to advance to the semifinal round in World Cup Germany. Get behind England or one of the other contenders for the biggest tournament in sports. Bet on the World Cup in the Bodog Sportsbook!
The man known as 'Big Phil' was also approached to take over from current England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson before the FA eventually chose Steve McClaren. Portugal beat Holland 1-0 to set up Saturday's match in Gelsenkirchen. Scolari's hopes of adding to his successes against Sven-Goran Eriksson with Brazil in 2002 and Portugal two years ago have been complicated by events here. Absent will be Costinha, his first-choice holding midfielder, and Deco, the talented midfield schemer, after they received two of the evening's four red cards. Possibly absent will be Cristiano Ronaldo after he went off early with a thigh injury.
Scolari will now have met England at the quarter-final stage in each of the last three major tournaments. Two years ago at Euro 2004 the Portugal team managed by Scolari drew 1-1 after 90 minutes with Sven-Goran Eriksson's England, then 2-2 after 120 minutes, before eventually winning on penalties.
Friends and foes: Club mates facing each other
Joe Cole v Paulo Ferreira Cole has been one of England's best players in Germany, scoring with a stunning volley against Sweden and setting up Steven Gerrard's goal in the same game. He will be confident of getting the better of his club team-mate - if Ferreira plays. The Chelsea defender has been kept out of the team by Miguel and has played only 29 minutes in the tournament.
John Terry v Ricardo Carvalho Both will have important roles for their teams at the heart of their defences but they are likely to come up against each other only at set pieces. Neither Chelsea player, however, poses much threat - they have the same statistics at international level: one goal in 28 appearances. Terry, however, is generally more dangerous for his club from set-pieces.
Gary Neville v Cristiano Ronaldo Could be an intriguing - and crucial - contest if the right-back recovers from injury to play instead of Owen Hargreaves. Ronaldo, who limped off in the first half last night, has been given a key role in Portugal's offensive play, offering speed to complement Luis Figo's inventiveness and Pauleta's opportunism in the penalty area, and must be kept under close control.
David Beckham v Luis Figo Figo has had a very good season with Internazionale after leaving Real Madrid last summer and has been one of Portugal's best players in Germany, putting in a man-of-the-match performance against Iran, in which he set up Deco for the opening goal. Beckham will need to track back and help his right-back if Figo switches sides with Ronaldo.
At the last World Cup, in 2002, Scolari was coach of the Brazilian team that knocked England out at the quarter-final stage - Ronaldinho's famous long-range free-kick eluding David Seaman for the winner in a 2-1 win. But "Big Phil" Scolari, who has yet to lose a game in a World Cup and led Brazil to the title in 2002, is unlikely to roll over at the sight of a few injuries and suspensions and in fact seems more determined than ever.
The Lads must win against Portugal if they hope to advance to the semifinal round in World Cup Germany. Get behind England or one of the other contenders for the biggest tournament in sports. Bet on the World Cup in the Bodog Sportsbook!
