Soccer: Argentina coach Bielsa tips England to beat Brazil

Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa believes England will beat Brazil in their World Cup soccer quarterfinal in Shizuoka, Japan tomorrow.

"All the ingredients are there for an England success and I believe they will win," Bielsa was quoted as saying in Britain's Sun newspaper today.

"The England attack constantly probe and have the ability to get in behind the back line, as we found to our cost," said Bielsa referring to Argentina's 1-0 defeat at the hands of Sven-Goran Eriksson's side in the first round.

"England are also difficult to break down and Brazil often loses its mind when they are frustrated and unable to play at their pace."

Bielsa, whose team failed to reach the second round, likened England manager Eriksson to Germany's former World Cup-winning coach Franz Beckenbauer.

"All my players who worked under Eriksson at club level in Italy have nothing negative to say about him whatsoever," he said. "They have all told me he brought a new dimension to their play and that he was extremely loyal when the going got tough.

"As for me, Eriksson has a certain style and diplomacy that puts me in mind of German legend Franz Beckenbauer. That style demands respect.

"The Brazil manager (Luiz Felipe Scolari) has the impossible task of bringing organisation to his defence and it is the perfect opportunity for England to exploit their lack of discipline," Bielsa added.

- REUTERS

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