The Art of War by Chinese general Sun Tzu is one of Scolari's favorite books. He says it has helped him to the 2002 World Cup title with his native country and into the semifinals in Germany at the helm of Portugal. Scolari has won every game his teams have played at both tournaments - a streak that has reached a dozen.

With its stress on preparation, discipline, unity, the treatise is a guidebook for some in modern-day business, politics and sports.

It is a fitting choice for a manager whose language is flecked with military terms, and whose next adversary is France on Wednesday.

"He's enriched us, increased our confidence," Portuguese goalkeeper Ricardo Pereira said Sunday. "Every ship has its captain, and he's ours."

Scolari was a fearless, if indelicate, central defender at clubs in his home state of Rio Grande Do Sul, whose natives are called "gauchos" (South American cowboys) for their grittiness.

His South American soccer schooling made him into a hard-nosed coach.

After two of his players were sent off in a 1-0 win against the Netherlands in the second round that featured four red cards and 16 yellows, Scolari labeled his players heroes.

"It (was) a typical game for those who don't know the South American game, which is very rough," he said. "It's a war, and today was very similar."

Scolari often speaks of how he wants his players to "brigar" (brawl) on the field, though he says he uses the word figuratively.

For him, knockout games are "mata-mata," which literally translates as "kill, kill" but which is meant to convey a sense of do-or-die.

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