England will be stronger for Argentina clash: Eriksson

June 3, 2002

KOBE, Japan, June 3 (AFP) -- England's draw with Sweden has left them with no room for error when they face Argentina in their second group F match but coach Sven-Goran Eriksson is confident his players can rise to the challenge.

The Swede believes the England squad, which has been hit hard by injuries in the run-up to the tournament will be a stronger outfit by Friday as inspirational captain David Beckham and Newcastle midfielder Kieron Dyer move closer to full match fitness.

"Two or three weeks ago we had a lot of players injured, so now with every day that passes, we gain something as they get more and more fit."

Beckham lasted for just over an hour on Sunday in his first match since breaking his left foot playing for Manchester United on April 10 while Dyer was able to come on as a second half substitute and did enough to suggest he could start against Argentina in Sapporo. Eriksson is expected to make changes for the Argentina match after watching his side dominate in the first half only to dissolve in the second. At the end, only some fine saves from David Seaman prevented the combative Swedes from grabbing the three points.

"This was the first game. We didn't lose and now we have to look forward with great hope and hopefully we can do more than 35 minutes against Argentina," he said. Argentina's opening win over Nigeria has put them in pole position but the group of death remains wide open. "We always knew it would be a very difficult group. Its not just that the teams are all very strong, they also play very different football," Eriksson said. "Sweden maybe are not as brilliant as Argentina but they are very difficult to beat. Now we know that we have two finals to play and we have to get results if we want to go on playing in this World Cup. "It is a difficult game for us on Friday, but its also a difficult game for Argentina."

Although Beckham admitted after the game that his foot was aching, he said he was confident he would be ready to face Argentina in a replay of the two side's classic encounter at France 98, when he was sent off and England were eliminated on penalties.

"I think it should be all right. It feels mainly like tiredness and the foot is aching but I think it will be alright for Friday," Beckham said. Liverpool striker Michael Owen admitted that England had left themselves facing an uphill struggle. "The important thing in the first game was not to get beaten and we did that. But now we know we have to get something out of the game against Argentina."

Owen, who scored the goal of the tournament in England's match with the Argentinians four years ago, barely got a look in against the Swedes. "It was hard work but you always have to keep on your toes because you don't know if the chance is going to come in the first or the last minute," he said.

"Hopefully against Argentina we will get a little bit more space and I'll get a few more chances." Sweden skipper Patrik Andersson, who sat out Sunday's game with a thigh injury, is among those who believe England could upset Argentina. "In a way it could be easier for England against Argentina than against us," he said. "Argentina play a much more open game. They tend to give you a bit more space and a bit more time on the ball and that might suit England better."

If Dyer is deemed fit for Friday's match, Eriksson is likely to start him on the left of midfield, possibly moving Emile Heskey back to his habitual striking role at the expense of Darius Vassell, who made little impact against the Swedes. Danny Mills, whose error led to the Swedish equaliser, could also be for the chop with Manchester United's Wes Brown waiting in the wings.