England, Portugal look to emulate 1966 glory days

By George Burns Jun 30, 2006, 14:51 GMT

Gelsenkirchen - England face a familiar, dangerous foe in their World Cup quarter-final with Portugal on Saturday, not least because of Big Phil.

The Portuguese eliminated the English at the same stage of Euro 2004 on penalties and Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari also knocked England out of the 2002 World Cup while leading Brazil to the title.

So England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson might have an axe to grind with Scolari - known to fans as Felipao, or Big Phil - as both send their teams into battle for a spot in the final four.

England captain David Beckham said that while he has great respect for Scolari, he expects Saturday's match to prove the saying 'third time lucky.'

'It's not a personal battle against Portugal or Scolari,' said the Real Madrid midfielder.

'Scolari has got an amazing record. He's a great manager and a great person but we're very relaxed going into this game and we're looking forward to it.'

Adding zest to the encounter is a snub by Scolari, 57, who has rejected an offer to succeed Eriksson when the Swede leaves his 5- million-pound (9-million-dollar) a year job at the end of the tournament.

Scolari and his squad remain confident that they can emulate the feat of the great 1966 Portuguese team of players such as Eusebio, Jose Torres and Mario Coluna, and make it to the semi-finals of a World Cup.

Midfielders Deco and Costinha are suspended, but Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo is back from a hit to the thigh during Portugal's violent 1-0 victory over Holland in the second round.

Only captain Luis Figo remains from Portugal's fabled 'golden generation' that lifted two Youth World Cups.

'I think it's vital we stop Figo playing,' said Steven Gerrard, England's top scorer at the tournament with two goals. 'If you give Figo time and space he'll crucify you and he'll win the game for Portugal singlehandedly.'

But with Pauleta, who broke Eusebio's goalscoring record shortly before the tournament began, and Ronaldo in Portugal's attack, England know they will have a battle on their hands.

Gary Neville, available again after missing the last three England games with a calf injury, laid down a challenge to Figo and company.

'People say it's a golden generation. That will be decided in moments like Saturday,' said the Manchester United defender.

Figo recalled his friendship with Beckham during their days at Real Madrid, but added: 'I hope that at the end of the game I'll be the happier one.'

Beckham, whose trademark free kick against Ecuador lifted his side into the quarter-finals, said that having the World Cup in Europe offered England's best chance in a generation to capture a second trophy after the 1966 victory over Germany at Wembley.

Like Eriksson's side, that England team started slowly and had to overcome Portugal, albeit in the semi-finals.

All of England will be hoping for a repeat, while Portuguese supporters will be praying that the iconic image they leave on this tournament bears no resemblance to Eusebio's tears in defeat at the hands of England.