Heskey (right) - supported by Hateley.

By Chris Roberts, PA Sport

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Former England striker Mark Hateley believes the eagerly-anticipated quarter-final clash against Brazil on Friday presents a golden opportunity for Emile Heskey to come out of the shadows and become a "national hero".

The former AC Milan and Rangers star himself shot to instant fame with a goal and assist for John Barnes' brilliant solo effort in an unforgettable debut against Brazil in the famous Maracanas Stadium in 1984 which still fills him with pride.

"It holds very special memories for me," recalled Hateley. "It was an important and massive first game for me against Brazil.

"I was obviously a young player and scoring a goal was very special for me and the rest is history.

"When you are a kid your dream is either playing in an FA Cup final or playing your first game for England.

"But what happened was beyond my wildest dreams. You don't think your first international is going to be against Brazil and it's an even bigger dream not to be beaten.

"But to play the Maracanas, score a goal and having a hand in John's goal as well, which could be classed as an assist even though he had to beat seven men before the got to the goal, is beyond your wildest imagination.

"You dream about your first championship, first cup final win and playing for your country first and foremost is the dream of every schoolboy so I would have to say that's up there in my top three achievements and memories. I'll always remember it."

But now the chance of a semi-final place in the World Cup is at stake and Hateley insists that it is time England beat Brazil again having won on just three occasions.

Sven-Goran Eriksson looks set to keep faith with Heskey and Michael Owen in attack after they scored their first goals of the World Cup against Denmark and Hateley believes they could be on the verge of legendary status.

Hateley told PA Sport: "It's 20 times we've played against Brazil and won just three times. It goes back to the 50s and so it's time we won again. To win just three times in 20 meetings is not good enough.

"But the chance is there for somebody to make a huge name for themselves now especially at this stage in the World Cup finals and become a national hero.

"They would be instantly recognisable and it's a taylor-made game for Emile Heskey to come out of the shadows.

"From the goal he scored in the last game he's been a shadow of his form for Liverpool so this is an ideal occasion for somebody like him to come to the fore and stake their claim as a top player.

"I would definitely stay with that. He's scored a goal now and Owen's off the mark now so the way Brazil defend there are always going to be gaps at the back."

Hateley is confident that England have the all-round quality to capitalise on the deficiencies in the Brazilian ranks.

He added: "The power and pace between the two frontmen will cause them problems and I feel quietly confident that England can get a good result against Brazil.

"We saw against Belgium, who are an inferior side to England, that with good discipline you can keep them at bay for long periods and Brazil do get frustrated.

"We saw the chances Belgium created and they haven't got the power, pace and wide men that England have got to create those sort of chances.

"I'm looking forward to that game with a lot of optimism. If you look at the strengths and weaknesses of both sides, Brazil's strengths are the central midfield and obviously the guys up front. But their weaknesses are at the back.

"England are very safe and solid at the back and have a solid pair in Scholes and Butt in midfield. As we've seen in the previous games they snuff the playmakers out in all the teams and starve the supply to the frontmen hence only conceding one goal.

"So if we can play like that with a lot of discipline for the first period of the game then we can go on from there. We have always got a chance on the break with pace and power down the flanks and through the middle."

If England can beat Brazil then they will be two games from lifting the World Cup and Hateley feels that only Italy could prevent them from glory.

He added: "It's a huge incentive for everybody left in the competition. If they can beat Brazil, Italy are the only team with any standing in world football that you would say would have a chance of winning it so fingers crossed."