Sven-Goran Eriksson insists England will be raring to go against France in their Euro 2004 opener despite a disappointing 1-1 draw with Japan. Michael Owen had put England ahead in the warm-up match at the City of Manchester Stadium only for Japan to equalise in the second half.
Eriksson said: "The first 35 minutes we were excellent, brilliant, the best we have played for a long time.
"If we could play like that for 90 minutes in Portugal, I would be happy."
England ended with a couple of injury worries, David Beckham receiving treatment for an ankle injury and John Terry going off near the end with a hamstring problem.
Eriksson said neither injury was serious, adding England had tired in the second half.
He said: "That is normal as we had a hard session on Monday and practised rather long on the morning of the game.
"The most important thing was not this game, but to be as fit as possible for 13 June against France.
"I think we are fitter now than we were at the World Cup two years ago."
MMIX
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"He cannot play the midfield holding role"