Owen - fit and raring to go.
ENGLAND UNCHANGED FOR BRAZIL
Sven-Goran Eriksson kept faith with the players who have taken England to the
World Cup quarter-finals as Michael Owen passed a fitness test to take on
Brazil.
With Owen declared fit after a groin injury, Eriksson picked an unchanged side
for the third consecutive game.
The defence, which has previously conceded just one goal in the opening four
games, has not altered since the start of the tournament.
David Seaman was again in goal, with his Arsenal team-mates Sol Campbell and
Ashley Cole ahead of him along with Leeds duo Rio Ferdinand and Danny Mills.
Mills was the one England player for whom another caution would mean
suspension from any semi-final against Senegal or Turkey as he was booked in the
second round win against Denmark.
The England defence, which shares the best record in the tournament so far
with Germany, were up against the best attack, with Ronaldo and Rivaldo sharing
nine goals between them.
Eriksson was looking for Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes to provide cover in front
of the back four, especially given the amount of possession Brazil were likely
to enjoy.
Trevor Sinclair was, meanwhile, kept on the left flank, with David Beckham on
the right, and both midfielders were asked not to push too far forward so they
could keep on eye on marauding full-backs Cafu and Roberto Carlos.
Up front, Eriksson was looking for Owen, who came through a fitness test
yesterday, to provide the cutting edge alongside Emile Heskey.
"Michael will start the game and did a very good training session. Of course
that's good news for us," said the England coach last night.
"This is a game for Michael Owen. Of course for the others as well, but I
think Michael is waiting for these big games. You have always seen that in his
life."
Meanwhile Brazil have left former Middlesbrough star Juninho on the bench and replaced him with the more defensive midfielder Kleberson.
England: Seaman, Mills, Ferdinand, Campbell, A Cole, Beckham, Butt, Scholes, Sinclair,
Owen, Heskey.
Brazil: Marcos, Roque Junior, Lucio, Edmilson, Cafu, Gilberto,
Ronaldinho, Kleberson, Carlos, Ronaldo, Rivaldo.
Subs: Belleti,
Ceni, Denilson, Dida, Edilson, Juninho Paulista, Junior, Kaka,
Luizao, Polga, Ricardinho, Vampeta.
Referee: F Ramos Rizo (Mexico)
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