Dyer: We'll win World Cup if we beat Brazil

Kieron Dyer is confident England will win the World Cup if they overcome Brazil in tomorrow’s quarter-final clash in Shizuoka.

The Newcastle midfielder believes it is an ideal time to play the Brazilians as they are not the force they once were despite having the skills of Ronaldo and Rivaldo.

Dyer feels England have the ability to exploit the Brazilians’ defence, which again looked far from secure during Monday’s 2-0 victory over Belgium in a second phase game in Kobe.

He said: ‘‘What a time for England to play Brazil. They are not as dominant as they have been in the past and what a time to win the World Cup.

‘‘There have been so many shocks and surprises, it’s there for the taking. I think the winner of the game tomorrow has got a great chance of progressing all the way.

‘‘We’re up for it. It’s the biggest game for all the players. None of us have been past the second round. We’re ready and if we can get past the next hurdle, then we can go all the way.’’

Dyer, who impressed as a second-half substitute in the 3-0 win over Denmark, added: ‘‘As an attacking force Brazil are brilliant.

‘‘It’s very rare in a team that you see seven to eight match-winners in one team.

‘‘The closest you get is Manchester United with their front six.

‘‘As an attacking force they are second to none in the world - but defensively they leave themselves wide open and there is a lot of space to exploit in behind.

‘‘Cafu and Roberto Carlos bomb on a lot and I quite relish that because how much space have you got down the wings?

‘‘We don’t fear them and, especially with Becks (David Beckham) in our team, if Carlos bombs on that could be a strength to England to attack down the wing and get crosses in for big Em (Emile Heskey).

Dyer admitted: ‘‘Apart from England, they (Brazil) are my favourite world team because I love the way they play football. They are so exciting, they’ve always got the best players playing for them.

‘‘If I get on the pitch, I think I will be man-marking Ronaldo to get his shirt after the game. They’ve got an awe to them. Obviously we respect them, but we won’t show them that much respect.’’

Dyer insisted that England would not be drawn into any pre-match verbal battle with the Brazilians.

He said: ‘‘I think they’ve started the war of words saying they’ve got better players and Beckham and Owen wouldn’t get in their team but that was the same when we played Nigeria.

‘‘They did the same to try and ruffle our feathers but we’re not going to get caught in all that. We will go about our job and do the nation proud.

‘‘They must fear us if they start a war of words. You don’t see us being disrespectful to them.’’