England v Nigeria - Key battles
England head into tomorrow’s final Group F clash with Nigeria knowing that a point will be enough to secure their passage to the last 16.
owever, the are equally well aware that they cannot afford to slip up and risk letting Argentina back into the driving seat should they triumph against Sweden.
The Super Eagles are yet to show their best in the Far East, and they will be desperate to put on a good display to leave their mark on the World Cup Finals before making their now unavoidable exit, but just who are the men who stand in England’s way?
MICHAEL OWEN v TARIBO WEST
England’s most potent striker will fancy his chances against a defender who, for all his technical ability and inspirational qualities, is not the quickest over the ground.
West, now 28, at least knows all about Owen having seen him at close hand during his time on loan at Derby County in the Premiership, and what is not in question is his reading of the game, a quality which has seen him more than hold his own in the cauldron of Italy’s Serie A with both of the Milan giants.
Owen is still waiting for his first goal of the 2002 finals, but having played a major role in the famous victory over Argentina, he will feel it is now only a matter of time.
NICKY BUTT v JAY JAY OKOCHA
Butt was nothing short of outstanding in the victory over Argentina as he snuffed out the threat posed by club-mate Juan Sebastian Veron to such and extent that he did not return after the break.
However, he will have to be at his destructive best once again if he is to do a similar job on Nigerian playmaker Okocha, whose ability to pull the strings from the middle of the park singles him out as the chief dangerman.
The Paris St Germain midfielder is the man who provides his side’s link to the strikers and will cause England problems if he is allowed time on the ball.
RIO FERDINAND v JULIUS AGHAHOWA
Having kept Henrik Larsson and Gabriel Batistuta relatively quiet, the England defence cannot rest on its laurels as Aghahowa brings his pace and power to the party.
The 19-year-old Shakhtar Donetsk frontman, who celebrated his goal against Sweden with a remarkable acrobatic celebration, is pacy and direct and will cause problems for England if he is allowed to link up with Okocha.
Ferdinand has won rave reviews for his displays so far in the competition, and one more solid display would help the lay the foundation for qualification.
