Outstanding victories over Argentina and Denmark have paved the Three Lions' progress to the last eight of the World Cup and Rio's own fine form throughout the tournament has been a huge part of England's success.

"Before we got here people were doubting us to qualify from the group," said the young man who speaks with a maturity well beyond his 23 years.

"Then people were doubting us again before the Denmark game and hopefully they will doubt us again for the quarter-finals - and hopefully we can keep proving people wrong. It's a great achievement and hopefully it's not finished yet."

Lying in wait are favourites Brazil if they can safely negotiate a tricky tie against Belgium - but Rio is concentrating on us rather our potential opponents.

"I'm not really fussed to be honest with you," he said. "We are just happy to be in the quarter-finals and whoever we get we will be more than confident of going out there and producing the goods.

"You look forward to playing against Brazil if you get to the next phase. "It's going to be a difficult game for them against Belgium, who are a quality team, and at the moment it's 50-50 who goes through, but to play against people like that is brilliant."

He added: "Brazil always get a great team together and their forward six players are quality.

"Cafu and Roberto Carlos going forward are also frightening, so they've got talent in abundance and their bench could probably walk into a lot of other teams. They are a great team and if we play against them the boys will enjoy it."

Ferdinand is pinching himself that he could be facing Brazil in the last eight and admits that he would never have dreamt about facing the Samba kings five years ago.

He added: "Four or five years ago I never thought myself to be in this position, so I am just enjoying everything at the moment - just like the other players.

"It's unbelievable."

Rio's defensive masterclasses have helped England keep three clean sheets, but he is refusing to take all the praise.

"It's testament for the team," he insisted. "I don't think any individual can take any more credit than the others for that record.

"As a team we are defending very well and we will keep on working with that and hopefully that will continue for a long time."

Ferdinand claims the team are riding the crest of a wave of optimism, and revealed the players have been amazed by the levels of support in Japan and back home.

He added; "The level of support is mad, it's crazy. The ball went out for a throw-in and I saw the fans doing the conga.

"It was great to hear them singing their heads off, we've seen the pictures of people in the streets and watching the games on TV and it would be nice to go back for an hour just to see what it's like, but obviously we can't."

Sorry Rio, we'd like you to stay out in Japan for a while yet.

From Daniel Freedman at the England team base in Awaji