NIIGATA -- England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson's local priest had "promised" that England would defeat Denmark in their Round of 16 game 2-1, with Michael Owen scoring the winner. The priest managed to get the result and one of the scorers right, coming up short with the scoreline however, as England cruised to a 3-0 win over Denmark with three first-half goals by Rio Ferdinand, Owen and Emile Heskey at Niigata stadium on Saturday.
"I thought we played well in the first half, scoring three goals and creating a number of good chances, although I don't think that the scoreline was fair on Denmark," said Eriksson. "The first goal was a big advantage for us as it meant that the other team would have to score at least twice to beat us, so it was very important."
Danish striker Jon Dahl Tomasson passed a late fitness test to be named in the starting lineup as did midfield hardman Stig Tofting. Tomasson had, at the start of play, scored four goals for Denmark in the competition, double the total of the entire England team.