Ronaldo (left) - star quality (Allsport)

By Jim van Wijk, PA Sport

England will face the world's most flamboyant side when they meet Brazil in Shizuoka on Friday for a place in the semi-finals of the 2002 World Cup.

Here, PA Sport gives an insight into the men Luiz Felipe Scolari is likely to send into battle against the best English football has to offer:

MARCOS (goalkeeper) - The Palmeiras stopper was not severely tested in the group stages of the tournament and may feel he could have done better to stop Costa Rica beating him twice. Despite occasional poor distribution and hesitancy over crosses, he produced some brilliant stops to deny Belgium captain Marc Wilmots.

CAFU (defender) - Along with Roberto Carlos, Cafu makes up one of the best attacking defences in international football. He may be almost 32, but he still possesses lightning pace and a powerful shot making him as much a threat in attack as he is dependable at the back. A permanent fixture in his club side too, helping Roma win the Scudetto in 2001.

LUCIO (defender) - The Bayer Leverkusen star is a strong centre-half and will no doubt have a fascinating duel with Emile Heskey. His high work-rate has been evident through all the matches and he is good in the air and skilful on the deck as well as strong in the tackle.

ROQUE JUNIOR (defender) - The AC Milan defender has built up a good understanding with Lucio and is Scolari's preferred choice in the middle. At 6ft 1in, he will certainly be a handful in the air for the England attack to overcome, but neither defender is the quickest and could be troubled by Michael Owen's pace.

ROBERTO CARLOS (defender) - Just as Cafu's energy has revolutionised the right-back position, Roberto Carlos has done the same down the left. The pair's surging runs give Brazil numbers on the overlap and he possesses one of the most lethal - and famous - shots in world football. Just as for Real Madrid at club level, he is deadly accurate from free-kicks. China discovered that when he opened the scoring from a set-piece in their 4-0 group-stage win. Simply the best in the world at what he does, his deliveries into the box provide plenty of welcome ammunition for Ronaldo and co.

JUNIOR (defender) - In the shadow of Carlos, but has proved a capable deputy. The Parma man is also a powerful runner with good distribution. Broke through the Costa Rica lines to score in the first-phase clash with a neat finish.

EDMILSON (defender/midfield) - Replaced Roque Junior in the final group game against Costa Rica when qualification had been achieved, and promptly scored with a brilliant overhead kick. Provides strength in depth and the Lyon man is as happy anchoring either the defence or the midfield.

GILBERTO SILVA (midfield) - Quiet, but effective powerful defensive midfielder. Protects the rearguard as well as providing an outlet for the attack with his surging runs. Could be used as man-marker to try to counter England's midfield threat.

JUNINHO (midfield) - Will be the most familiar player to the English team after having enjoyed two spells with Middlesbrough. The diminutive midfielder is just as happy on the ball as he is running off it, with plenty of tricks still in the locker to bamboozle the opposition. Has, though, yet to complete a full 90 minutes in these finals.

RIVALDO (midfield/striker) - Stop Rivaldo, and you stop Brazil. Rivaldo is capable of making the most difficult of manoeuvres look like child's play. Happiest in a free, attacking role, Rivaldo is at his most dangerous when in full flight, but also has a brilliant footballing brain to pick out his team-mates at will. The Barcelona midfielder is also one of the hardest-working players in the Brazil arsenal, and his left foot is one of the country's most potent weapons. Has scored a goal in every game to take his personal tally to four - but will have impressed few with his shameful play-acting against Turkey after being hit with the ball by Hakan Unsal, landing the Blackburn man with a red card and himself with a fine. However, his moment of brilliance to score the opener against Belgium was a timely reminder that he only needs a split second and half a yard to produce a moment of genius which turns the game in Brazil's favour.

RONALDINHO (midfield/striker) - Although very much seen as Brazil's new hope, there was plenty of sniping when coach Luiz Felipe Scolari opted for Ronaldinho and against selecting controversial striker Romario for his final World Cup party. The Paris St Germain striker has great control and the ball almost seems to stick to his feet as he glides effortlessly past defenders. Found the net from the spot against China, but was then rested for the final group game with Costa Rica. Had a quiet game against Belgium, but his sharp pass set up Rivaldo for his stunning goal which put Brazil ahead.

DENILSON (midfield/striker) - Generally been used as a substitute by Scolari so far, coming off the bench in three of Brazil's matches. Has great close control and still possesses a good turn of pace, but the £22million Real Betis man has yet to break into double goal figures for his country despite having already chalked up over 50 caps.

RONALDO (striker) - The most natural talent the game has produced for a generation has started to show some of the form which rocketed him to superstardom in the 1990s. Ronaldo has netted five times already in the tournament and his crisp finishing and sharp footwork make him a menace for any defender. A question mark still remains over his below-par appearance in the 1998 World Cup final defeat by France. However, his showing in smashing in the goals in the group stages and the second against Belgium shows that Ronaldo may just be about to reclaim his crown as the king of football.