Soccer: Erratic England next up for in-form Denmark

NIIGATA, Japan - Having already disposed of the world and European champions, Denmark are now preparing to dump the country who invented the game out of the World Cup soccer finals in tomorrow's second round clash with England.

The Danes' stunning 2-0 victory over France on Tuesday made headlines around the world and propelled Morten Olsen's team to the top of group A against all the odds.

Though confidence is at an all-time high, Olsen is sweating on a groin injury to key striker Jon Dahl Tomasson, the scorer of four of Denmark's five goals in the group phase.

Should Tomasson fail to recover, Ebbe Sand would probably get the nod to join Dennis Rommedahl -- whose opening goal knocked the stuffing out of France -- and Martin Jorgensen in Denmark's usual 4-3-3 formation.

Adding to Olsen's worries, though, is a foot injury suffered by combative midfielder Stig Tofting, whose presence would be sorely missed in the role of cutting off the supply line to England striker Michael Owen.

England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson will be counting on the likes of Owen, skipper David Beckham and central midfielders Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes to turn a difficult match their way.

Where Denmark were solid in all three group games, England have been erratic -- plumbing the depths in a woeful second half in their 1-1 draw with Sweden, soaring to a 1-0 win over pre-tournament favourites Argentina, and then huffing and puffing their way to a 0-0 draw with Nigeria.

Owen Hargreaves is England's only injury casualty, with his place on the left likely to be taken again by Trevor Sinclair, ahead of Kieron Dyer and Joe Cole.

Evergreen substitute Teddy Sheringham, and the pacy Darius Vassell would be ready to add further firepower if England lose their way.

Although they have only lost one of their previous 14 games against the 1992 European champions, England know they will be punished for under-estimating such well-organised opponents.

Probable teams:

Denmark: (4-3-3) 1-Thomas Sorensen; 6-Thomas Helveg, 3-Rene Henriksen, 4-Martin Laursen, 12-Niclas Jensen; 7-Thomas Gravesen, 2-Stig Tofting, 17-Christian Poulsen; 11-Ebbe Sand, 19-Dennis Rommedahl, 10-Martin Jorgensen

England: (4-4-2) 1-David Seaman; 2-Danny Mills, 5-Rio Ferdinand, 6-Sol Campbell, 3-Ashley Cole; 7-David Beckham, 21-Nicky Butt, 8-Paul Scholes, 4-Trevor Sinclair; 11-Emile Heskey, 10-Michael Owen.

- REUTERS

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