Belgium vs Brazil                                        June 17
Round of 16                                          7:30 am EDT
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KOBE, Japan (Ticker) -- Placed in the potentially detrimental 
role as favorite to lift the World Cup, Brazil looks to post a
third victory in its fourth all-time matches against Belgium on
Monday, when the nations square of in the round of 16.

Former favorites France and Argentina already crashed out in 
the first round, while anticipated Group D front-runner Portugal
also has headed home earlier than expected.

The Brazilians must deal with the newly raised expectations.

"We have to go about being favorites in the right, positive
way," said Brazil goalkeeper Marcos, who is playing in his first
World Cup. "We can't lose our concentration because of the
other people's attention over us."

Cafu, the Brazilian captain, believes overconfidence will not be
an issue.

"I'm not surprised by these elimination's because the football
has evolved a lot," he said. "We have to learn from this and
play with much humbleness."

Brazil's 5-2 rout of Costa Rica put the "Samba Boys" alongside
Spain as the only sides to reach the knockout stage with a
perfect 3-0 record.  But however impressive they looked
offensively, there are plenty of improvements to be made in
their traditionally suspect defense.

Despite Brazil's perfect record thus far, Turkey and Costa Rica
managed to exploit the South Americans' defensive holes, scoring
two goals apiece. But as is often the case, if this Brazilian
side scores more goals than it concedes, than that will get the
job done.

Belgium's lone win against Brazil came in 1963, when the
European side posted a 5-1 rout. However, Brazil returned the
favor two years later with a 5-0 drubbing. In their last
confrontation in 1988, Brazil edged Belgium, 2-1.

The South Americans head into their encounter with Belgium with
a 10-game unbeaten streak.

This Brazil side drawing many comparisons to the 1982 edition,
which featured such stars as Zico, Socrates, Cerezo and Falcao.
Only needing a tie against Italy to reach the semifinals, Brazil
kept attacking despite being knotted at 2-2 with 22 minutes
left. Italy's Paolo Rossi completed his hat trick, Brazil went
out and the Azzurri went on to win the World Cup.

The lone country to have won four World Cups, Brazil scored 11
goals in group play to share the tournament lead with Germany.

Ronaldo, the 25-year-old superstar striker who appears to be
back to his old form after enduring lengthy absences due to
injury, already has scored four goals.

The 1996 and 1997 FIFA World Player of the Year has promised to
score in every match Brazil plays in the tournament. So far, he
has delivered.

Teammate Rivaldo, a superstar in his own right and the 1999 FIFA
World Player of the Year, collected a goal and two assists
against Costa Rica.

Brazil wisely rested starters Roberto Carlos, Ronaldinho and
Roque Junior in the Costa Rica game.  All three scored in the
opening two matches and only can have benefited from a game off
after a long European club season.

Belgium was not nearly as impressive in advancing from Group H
as Brazil was in Group C play. Despite competing in perhaps the
weakest of the eight first-round groups, Belgium reached the
knockout stages, where anything can happen.

Belgium is capable of shutting down opponents with its offside
trap and clogging the midfield to disrupt attacking moves.

Belgium played to a pair of ties its first two games, 2-2 with
co-host Japan and a disappointing 1-1 tie against Tunisia. But
the team performed better in the clinching 3-2 win over Russia.

Marc Wilmots has been Belgium's best player, scoring three
goals, including the eventual game-winner against Russia.  The
galvanizing force in Belgium's offense, the 33-year-old Schalke
04 veteran needs to maintain his form if Belgium is to have a
chance of recording an upset.

Belgium's 2001 Footballer of the Year, Wesley Sonck got himself
involved and on the scoring board at a crucial time in the
tournament.  Sonck, who does not have much international
experience and played only 68 minutes in the first two games,
scored his third goal for his country and first at the World
Cup.  The 23-year-old captured the scoring title in the Belgian
League playing for Racing Genk.
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