England's poisoned chalice

Eriksson can still lead England to glory

BBC Sport Online chief football writer Phil McNulty analyses the options - and England's uphill task - after the draw for World Cup 2002.

England found every angle of all the most implausible scripts covered in Busan - now they must hope the story does not have a nightmare ending.

It has elements of revenge and romance, but most of all it contains the real threat of danger to Sven-Goran Eriksson's World Cup dreams.

Someone said you couldn't make it up - sadly for England, someone did throughout a lavish and lengthy ceremony in Busan, South Korea.

England have not just been handed the poisoned chalice of a meeting with favourites Argentina, but they also face the highly-efficient and gifted Sweden, a country they have not defeated for 33 years.

And for good measure, the supposed easier team in their qualification group is the dangerous and talented Nigeria.

Owen can repeat heroics

Eriksson, however, is right to sound an optimistic note after they were the victims of the so-called 'group of death' that always emerges in every showpiece.

England proved they are capable of producing an outstanding result in Germany, and they have match-winners in men like Michael Owen and David Beckham.

The story's revenge element comes in the shape of the brilliant Argentines, who may find both form and climate in Japan in their favour.

England - and Beckham in particular - are still sore at the France 98 exit, when Owen's goal that announced him on the world stage could not prevent defeat on penalties.

Beckham still feels the injustice of his red card after a collision with Diego Simoeone and will be burning to put matters right.

Add Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' in the 1986 quarter-final in Mexico - and of course Rattin at Wembley in 1966 - and you have quite a cocktail.

England do not lack incentives, and they do not lack quality.

The romance has a Swedish flavour as Eriksson attempts to upset his own land, a country that has demonstrated such pride in his achievements with England.

Batistuta - danger man

Argentina are lavishly talented as well as fiercely determined.

Hernan Crespo and Gabriel Batistuta are prolific in attack, with Juan Sebastian Veron and Claudio Lopez also prolific.

Sweden are highly-organised, but boast flair players Henrik Larsson and Freddie Ljungberg in attack.

England, once the initial disappointment at the size of their task has evaporated, should have belief in their ability to beat all three sides in their group.

Eriksson is convinced they can come through - and nothing he has done so far leaves room for doubt.

Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy will be delighted with the outcome.

The Republic have proved they can beat the best by winning against Holland.

And they have nothing to fear from Germany, Saudi Arabia or Cameroon.

Brazil can be expected to come through into the second stage, and other hopefuls such as Spain, Portugal and Italy should all join them.

England face a tougher task - but there is still no reason why Eriksson's World Cup story should not have a happy ending.