England and Scolari have some history of matches in the last 2 major tournaments they met: World Cup 2002 and EuroCup 2004. Both times, Scolari was the winner. Now, they meet again in England vs. Portugal.

2002 - England can find no answer
In Japan in 2002, belief seemed to drain out of England once Rivaldo had cancelled out Michael Owen’s 23rd-minute opener seconds before the break. Brazil had to cope with the loss of Ronaldinho to a red card early in the second half but by then the same player had already struck what would be the winning goal.

As it was England failed to take advantage of their extra man. For the remaining 34 minutes, they failed to seriously trouble the Brazil back line and played too many hopeful long balls against a team who, when the mood takes them, can keep possession better than anyone.

That humid afternoon in Shizuoka was Round One of a contest The Times newspaper this week dubbed ‘Mr Cool v The Volcano’. But if Eriksson earned criticism from one or two players after that defeat for failing to rouse his players with his half-time team talk, the second loss two years later in Lisbon was more a triumph of Scolari’s bold changes.

2004 - Scolari’s switches pay off
England led through a third-minute Owen goal and despite the loss of Wayne Rooney to a metatarsal injury, they were hanging on to their lead with the clock ticking down. Then Scolari threw on three attacking players – Simao, Rui Costa and, controversially, Helder Postiga in place of Luis Figo – and switched his formation from 4-2-3-1 to 3-4-3.

The Brazilian’s reward was an equaliser from the head of Postiga after 83 minutes and another of his substitutes, Rui Costa, then struck a spectacular second in extra time. Frank Lampard made it 2-2 but it proved a short stay of execution as Portugal won 6-5 on penalties.

If these two tense encounters were not enough history between Scolari and England, there is also the matter of the English Football Association’s short courtship of the Brazilian this spring. The FA appeared poised to appoint Scolari as Eriksson’s successor before a late change of heart on the part of the Portugal coach prompted the English authorities to turn to Steve McClaren.

Scolari gave his version of events in an interview with former Brazilian international Leonardo on BBC television this week. He said that he was unwilling to go into the FIFA World Cup with his future as England coach already public.

“I couldn’t decide to be coach of another country before a World Cup when I was representing Portugal,” he said. “Imagine if I meet England during the World Cup and I have to say to my players, ‘Die for Portugal’.”

As he targets a 12th consecutive victory in FIFA World Cup matches, the old strategist will have no problems saying those words on Saturday.

Source: WCoffsite