Hargreaves was a member of the England side beaten 6-5 by the Portuguese on penalties at Euro 2004, the latest in a long line of exits by shoot-out.

England have gone out on penalties in four of their last seven major tournaments, but Bayern Munich midfielder Hargreaves is adamant that there is no inherent reason for the repeated failures.

And the 25-year-old is confident England have the players to end that run of heart-breaking losses.

"We've got some of the best dead ball specialists in the world in our squad -- Stevie G (Steven Gerrard), Lamps (Frank Lampard), Becks (David Beckham)," Hargreaves said. "I'd fancy our chances on pens against anyone. No problem."

Having spent his entire professional career in the Bundesliga, Hargreaves is also well placed to challenge the conventional wisdom that German players have a mental edge over England when it comes to penalties.

"I don't think a German can take a better penalty than an Englishman," he said. "I just don't see that."

Hargreaves scored one of England's spot-kicks in the shoot-out defeat to Portugal two years ago and is ready to step up again if called upon.

"I'm not superstitious at all," he said. "When it comes down to it, the players on the pitch take responsibility and I would do that again."

Hargreaves says he has put the defeat to Portugal two years ago behind him but admits it is never easy coming to terms with death by spot-kick.

"It's very difficult when you prepare for such a tournament -- the effort, and time and qualifying games and the time that goes into it -- then suddenly the game is decided and you realise you're going home the next day," he said.

"Football can be very hard at times. We could have gone on to the next round but we didn't. It's when you've been in those situations that you realise there's such a fine line, that it all comes down to tiny details."

Hargreaves was played out of position at right back in England's 1-0 second round victory over Ecuador on Sunday but could be shunted back to his preferred role as the holding player for the Portuguese clash.

Despite winning plaudits for his performance in midfield against Sweden, Hargreaves is just happy to be on the pitch after so long on the fringes.

"Just to get the opportunity to be on the pitch in a game of this calibre is what all footballers dream of," said Hargreaves.

"Winning a World Cup is about having a squad of 23 players. So whether I'm playing at right back, playing in the holding role, or watching from the bench for 90 minutes, I'm not worried."