LONDON, Nov 18 — Brazil boss Luiz Felipe Scolari believes England could be one of his country's main rivals when the South American nation stages next year's World Cup finals.

Former Chelsea manager Scolari has thrice been in charge of teams that have knocked England out of major tournaments - with Brazil at the 2002 World Cup and then with Portugal at the 2004 European Championships and 2006 World Cup.

But Scolari, who was once courted for the England job but is now in his second spell as Brazil manager, pointed out that two of those matches were decided by penalty shoot-outs.

And he said Roy Hodgson's side, bidding to become the first England team to win a major tournament since the 1966 World Cup, could yet prove something of a surprise package.

“England are one of the teams who could shine at the World Cup,” Scolari told today's edition of Britain's Guardian newspaper.

“Roy is doing a great job in bringing new players to the team and is overseeing a generational change. England has a good team and I think they are much better technically these days. — AFP