Soccer: England force Brazil to switch from famous yellow strip

England are hoping to gain a small psychological lift by forcing Brazil to swap their famous yellow shirts for blue ones in Friday's quarter-final showdown.

The Daily Telegraph reported that as part of what "appeared to be a carefully planned campaign to prepare the players psychologically" England would insist on Brazil playing in blue in Shizuoka.

England, as the designated "home" team, have the right to choose which colour shirts to wear. The Telegraph said there was a feeling in the England camp that Brazil will appear less intimidating if they are wearing their away strip of blue rather than the classic yellow.

With England opting for white, television requirements dictate that Brazil must wear a dark colour. Brazil qualified for their last-eight tussle with England by defeating Belgium 2-0 in Kobe on Monday night.

- REUTERS

nzherald.co.nz/fifaworldcup

Groups and team lists
Stars
Schedule
Points tables
Previous winners and key statistics

Interactive graphics:
Groups and team profiles