England fans plan the next step

David Schaffer BBC News Online

The fans celebrate three very golden balls

The nerves were keeping them quiet in the Lancashire pub.

Minutes before kick-off it was clearly tense.

But with only four minutes of the match gone, a fumbled own goal by the Danish keeper was all they needed.

Suddenly brought to life, the drinkers in the Golden Ball in Broughton near Preston visibly relaxed.

Just minutes before, however, Bruce Goodwin and Dharma Kovvuri admitted their nerves had stopped them finishing their pre-match breakfast.

It can get so intense in here Bruce Goodwin

"It is a knockout now, so this match really matters," said Mr Kovvuri, 34-year-old lecturer.

"They might have only beaten us once in 1983 but there is always a second time."

He could hardly believe it when the first England goal came so quickly.

"But being a fan of England is sometimes about having blind faith," said business analyst Mr Goodwin, 32.

"Let's hope they stay on top because it can get so intense in here."

"Sometimes you actually feel that England can hear you screaming at them."

Victory 'not assured'

Despite being three-nil up at half-time the fans were still a little reluctant to rate England's chances.

It took until the final whistle before any full lunged chanting could be heard.

But 67-year-old Bill Wall suggested England's dominance throughout the match was no indication they would succeed against Brazil.

Puffing on a cigar, he said: "That is a totally different kettle of fish.

"Of course I am very happy about how England have played, and I really hope they can win on Friday, but I can't be sure."

It is bound to be a different story on Friday Dharma Kovvuri

Physiotherapist student Natalie Almond didn't want to think about Friday, she was too busy celebrating.

The 19-year-old said: "I am so happy.

"I thought this match was going to be so messy and all the England fans would be left so upset.

"This is brilliant."

Pete Bristol, another student, said he had much more confidence in England.

"I knew they were going to win, but I did not think there would be so many goals.

Amid the noise of the celebrating pub, Mr Kovvuri, said: "It was a comfortable win and the more relaxed approach by England in the second half was all part of Sven's plan.

Next step

"By bringing on the likes of Fowler and Dyer he was clearly resting his top players and keeping one eye on Brazil.

"Following the success against the Danes, it is bound to be a different story on Friday.

"But there is no reason why England cannot go through.

"Brazil are fantastic at going forward.

"They have got weaknesses in their defence and that's what we have got to break down."

The message from the fans was that it might need a result similar to that against Argentina.

But one goal is all it would take.

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