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Brazil, Germany keep eyes on prize

Rivaldo, left and Ronaldo, right, welcome Edmilson to the scorers' club

SHIZUOKA, Japan (CNN) -- In a tournament of upsets, Brazil and Germany are poised to take a big step towards restoring some normality to the World Cup in Friday's quarterfinals.

Pundits are talking of a new world order as fancied teams like Argentina, France, Italy and Portugal have headed home, tails between their legs.

But amid all the chaos, four-times champions Brazil and three-times winners Germany have their eyes firmly on the prize.

Favourites Brazil play England, the first time the two have met in the World Cup since 1970, when champions-elect Brazil won 1-0. Later, Germany take on the U.S. who have not gone this far since the first World Cup in 1970.

CNN NewsPass VIDEO Is the gap closing in world football? CNN's Terry Baddoo reports (June 20) Play video    QUICKVOTE They have won all their matches, scoring more than anyone else. Can Brazil be beaten? Yes No View Results

Brazil have won all their games, scoring 13 goals on the way -- 10 of them courtesy of the "three Rs", Rivaldo, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. Some of their attacking play has been breathtaking and Rivaldo and Ronaldo have scored in every game.

But they face their toughest test against an England side who have not conceded a goal since Sweden equalised in game one.

At the heart of the defence are centrebacks Rio Ferdinand and Sol Campbell, who know they are in for a busy day. "We've got to play the game of our lives, really, to win," Campbell told reporters.

England, who last reached a semifinal in 1990, may call on some divine help if they are to do it again. A Church of England chaplain, The Rev. Jeremy Fletcher, has written a prayer for fans which says: "Arise, O Lord, and let not Brazil prevail over us."

It also urges for Brazil's strikers to be "put to confusion" and adds: "O God, if nothing else, award us a dubiously offside goal in the last minute." (Full story)

Germany's defensive record matches England's. Only Ireland's Robbie Keane has beaten imposing keeper Oliver Kahn, the 33-year-old team captain.

Kahn: Leads from the back

After qualifying for the finals via a playoff, expectations among German fans were not high. But Rudi Voeller's team have had few alarms on the road to the last eight.

Another U.S. victory would be a sensation and Voeller has had to warn against complacency. "The Americans have nothing to lose. No one thought they would get into the quarterfinals and that makes them dangerous," he said.

U.S. coach Bruce Arena, on the other hand, is already assured a hero's return. President George W. Bush called him before their 2-0 win over Mexico on Monday as a nation obsessed with baseball, basketball, American football and ice hockey, woke up to the World Cup.

Arena is content with the role of underdog. "If we don't win this game, we'll be fine and we'll go home and everyone will be happy. I'm not sure how the German team will be doing if they lose."

In Saturday's other quarterfinals, co-hosts South Korea play Spain and Turkey meet Senegal.