STYLE Brazil: Brazil follows the 3-5-2 formation but Prof Scolari often starts with about eight players in the mid-field. The reason: To control possession and frustrate rival forwards. His strategy to score goals is - speed down the wings and a quick counter-attack from the middle.England: England takes field with a 4-4-2 combination. Traditionally they play a fluid and attacking soccer with surging long balls and their speedy forwards. With Beckham at the helm, they relish set-piece situations. The defensive-midfielder drops back as a sweeper, while the other midfielders drive England’s attack by moving the ball around, pressing forward and providing service to the strikers. DEFENCE Brazil: As always, their defence has holes. Cafu, Edmilson or Roberto Carlos cannot afford to go on the overlap always against a team like England which relies on the long balls and the fleet-footed Michael Owen. The overlapping defenders should fall back to re-organise the defence immediately after an attack. Brazil’s match against Costa Rica and Turkey should be an eye-opener for Scolari.England: By conceding just one goal in the tournament, England’s defence is rated as best in the tournament. But with the task to stop the high profile forwardline of Brazil this will be biggest test for the English centre-backs Sol Campbell and Rio Ferdinand. The two defenders have one drawback: uncomfortable in possession of the ball; they simply hoof it out of danger instead of trying to carry it up field or making an outlet pass. FORWARD The R2 factor gives the four-time winners the edge over their English rivals. With almost a goal in every match, Ronaldo and Rivaldo clearly stay much ahead than their English counterparts Owen and Emille Heskey. MIDFIELD Brazil: A free-scoring Brazil, the top scoring team of the tournament with 13 goals, are likely to use forwards, mid-fielders and defenders to strike at the heart of England’s defence. Ronaldo and Rivaldo will be supported by the explosive Ronaldinho, with playmaker Juninho running in from midfield and wingback Roberto Carlos hurtling down the left flank. Brazil also relies on the creative play of Rivaldo’s dual role as a mid-fielder and attacker. Brazil pass the ball very slowly and then are explosive up front. They will keep the ball, hope to try and outpace England, and then get behind them using their pace up front.England: If England are to take control, they will have to break up Brazil’s attacking manouevre in the middle. That responsibility will largely fall on Manchester United trio of Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes and skipper David Beckham. Butt should reproduce the form he showed against Denmark.
