Post by Salem6 on Jun 1, 2004 9:53:10 GMT
MANCHESTER (Reuters) - England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson will start with his strongest side in Tuesday's friendly against Japan in Manchester.
"We will start with the best team against Japan," Eriksson told a news conference on Monday. "Japan will make life difficult for us but we will try to win the game and it is important to play good football as that gives you confidence."
Eriksson said he would be picking his side with the opening Euro 2004 match against France on June 13 very much in mind.
"France individually have the strongest squad in the tournament and a draw against them would not be bad though of course we want to win the game," he said.
"We have a number of options, especially in midfield, but that is a good problem to have.
Eriksson highlighted the threat of France playmaker Zinedine Zidane.
"The space in front of our central defenders is very important against France because of Zidane," he said.
That suggested that Nicky Butt will start the match against Japan ahead of the more attacking Frank Lampard.
England complete their competitive preparations for Euro 2004 with a match against Iceland on Saturday.
www.reuters.co.uk/newsArticle.jhtml?type=sportsNews&storyID=5301018&src=eDialog/GetContent§ion=news
"We will start with the best team against Japan," Eriksson told a news conference on Monday. "Japan will make life difficult for us but we will try to win the game and it is important to play good football as that gives you confidence."
Eriksson said he would be picking his side with the opening Euro 2004 match against France on June 13 very much in mind.
"France individually have the strongest squad in the tournament and a draw against them would not be bad though of course we want to win the game," he said.
"We have a number of options, especially in midfield, but that is a good problem to have.
Eriksson highlighted the threat of France playmaker Zinedine Zidane.
"The space in front of our central defenders is very important against France because of Zidane," he said.
That suggested that Nicky Butt will start the match against Japan ahead of the more attacking Frank Lampard.
England complete their competitive preparations for Euro 2004 with a match against Iceland on Saturday.
www.reuters.co.uk/newsArticle.jhtml?type=sportsNews&storyID=5301018&src=eDialog/GetContent§ion=news