Friday’s Games

*--* Brazil vs. England Tonight, 11:30 PDT, at Shizuoka, Japan TV: ESPN, Ch. 34. Delayed: Ch. 46, noon How they got here: Brazil finished first in Group B and defeated Belgium, 2-0, in the second round. England, second in Group F, scored three times in the first half to defeat Denmark, 3-0, in the second round Brazil update: If you prefer the shorthand, here is the essence of the team Brazil has sent to the 2002 quarterfinals: Three Rs and no D. The attacking talents of Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho have compensated for a very suspect defense. Ronaldo has scored in all four of Brazil’s games and shares the tournament lead for most goals--five--with Germany’s Miroslav Klose. Ronaldo has nine World Cup goals in 11 matches, second in Brazilian history to Pele’s 12 England update: England has not given up a goal since its opening 1-1 tie with Sweden. England has yet to lose when Rio Ferdinand and Sol Campbell have been paired in the central defense, as they have every game in Japan. In those 14 games, England is 9-0-5, giving up only nine goals and more than one in a game once. Forward Michael Owen and midfielder Paul Scholes sat out practice Tuesday while resting groin and ankle injuries, respectively, but are both expected to play Outlook: Brazil and England haven’t met in a World Cup since 1970, the year Pele won his final championship. At a stage of the tournament where defense usually provides the difference, England could have its revenge at last

*--*