Rio hoping to send Brazil crashing

England's Rio Ferdinand will be hoping to send the millions of people who live in the city bearing his name crying into their coffee by living up to his reputation as the tournament's best defender when the two old rivals meet in the World Cup for the first time in 32 years today.

He, and his central defensive partner Sol Campbell, will have to tame rampant Brazil strikers Ronaldo and Rivaldo if England are to have any chance of reaching the last four for the first time in 12 years and only the third time ever.

But while the history books and their current scoring potency point to a Brazil victory, England have just as much chance of emerging the winners.

Today's game, in essence, will be a battle between England's defence and Brazil's attack. England's back line has emerged as the joint best in the finals along with Germany's having conceded just one goal in their opening four matches, while Brazil have scored 13 goals.

But if England's rearguard can hold firm - and set up quick counter-attacks on the break - then England have half a chance.

Belgium, beaten 2-0 by Brazil in the second round on Monday, did enough to expose the holes that can quickly appear in the Brazil defence - and England are quicker and sharper going forward than the Belgians.

England's midfielders, apart from skipper David Beckham, are more tigerish terriers than elegant executioners of the long ball, but Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Trevor Sinclair should more than hold their own in the middle.

England will then rely on Michael Owen and Emile Heskey to punish Brazil at the back. Manager Sven-Goran Eriksson yesterday confirmed that Owen will start today's clash after recovering from a groin injury.

Brazil, though, play to the old adage "you score one, we'll score two", and England will not be able to let their guard drop for a moment against the best attack in the World Cup.

Ronaldo, the tournament's joint top scorer with five goals, is finding his best form again after two-and-a-half years of injury misery while Rivaldo, who has also found the net in each game, is living up to his billing as one of the best.

Neither can afford to be left alone for even a split second, while Ronaldinho is also coming into form and looked lively as a provider against Belgium.

But Campbell believes England have a real chance of victory. "If we get the numbers right when we're defending, there won't be too many problems," he said.

England have already beaten Argentina in the tournament - and another victory over Brazil would represent their best achievement in real terms in the World Cup since they won it in 1966.

This Brazil team might not be the best ever assembled, but there are still enough attacking options to wrap up the game in 90 minutes.

For once England might have the better team, if not the superior individuals - and that might be enough to tip the balance their way.

Probable teams...

England: Seaman; Mills, Ferdinand, Campbell, A. Cole; Beckham, Scholes, Butt, Sinclair; Heskey, Owen.

Brazil: Marcos; Lucio, Edmilson, Roque Junior, Cafu; Gilberto Silva, Juninho, Ronaldinho, Roberto Carlos; Ronaldo, Rivaldo.

Referee: Felipe Ramos Rizo (Mexico).

On TV: Live on TVM, RAI Uno at 8.30 a.m.