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Brazil, England: Let the battle commence

Owen declared fit

Michael Owen carries the hopes of many English fans. The forward has sat out training all week after receiving an injury against Denmark

SHIZOUKA, Japan (CNN) -- Brazil and England have commenced battle in one of the most highly anticipated quarter-finals in World Cup history, with many pundits believing that the eventual trophy winner will come from Friday's clash.

The Japanese city of Shizuoka will host the match in its 51,000-seater stadium with only Turkey or Senegal barring the winner's way to the final.

History is with the South Americans as England have never beaten Brazil in a World Cup match, the best performance a 0-0 draw in 1958.

It is the first time the two have met in the World Cup since 1970, when Brazil won 1-0 before going on to claim the tournament.

The two sides have met twenty times in all at international level, with England trailing three to Brazil's nine victories overall.

England coach Swede Sven-Goran Eriksson is hoping to begin a new trend and gave the thumbs-up to Michael Owen, insisting that the star striker is "fully fit" to play after sustaining a groin injury during the 3-0 win over Denmark on Saturday.

'Patience'

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

Erikson said he would tell his players to be patient ahead of their exposure to the potentially devastating class and flair of the Brazilian side.

"Be patient, even when you are defending. Don't try to go to ground in a tackle, and then have them beat you. Because when you're on the ground, your (team) is playing with one less. Stay on your feet," Erikson said he would say.

England's defence has been the best in the tournament, with no team conceding fewer goals. But no side has scored more than the Brazilians.

To win, Erikson says England need to keep it tight at the back but also create the chances that helped them beat Argentina in the first round, and Denmark in the second.

"They attack with a lot of players and a lot of skill," Eriksson said. "We must pay attention and defend very well. But you can't win football games just by defending, you have to attack as well."

Divine help

Ronaldo has scored in every match this tournament and will be looking to built on his tally of five goals when Brazil meet England

The task is enormous. 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.

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 favourites

Oliver Kahn has been beaten only once this tournament

Later Friday, Germany take on the U.S. who have not gone this far since the first World Cup in 1970.

Germany's defensive record matches England's. Only Ireland's Robbie Keane has beaten imposing keeper Oliver Kahn, the 33-year-old team captain. 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. (Koreans reap rewards of success)