By the sounds of it then, the point needed when England play the Nigerians at Osaka on Wednesday should be there for the taking.

But these parting words from coach Onigbinde suggest the Nigerians may go down fighting before they go home crying.

The former schoolteacher said: "I don't believe in negative football. We will still come out strong against England and we will be at full strength.

"It will be a major disappointment if we fail to perform in all three of our matches.

"You have to remember this is a World Cup – we will not do it.

"I can't see any particular danger from England. No great problems. We'll be playing to win.

"We came here with the intention of getting to the final, although it was not to be we have one game to play and we have our honour to defend.

"England have quick forwards but I don't think we need to take any special measures against them."

England will have to keep an eye on Julius Aghahowa, scorer against the Swedes, and lively super-sub Pius Ikedia – but it's the heat which could really get to them.

Wednesday's crunch showdown in humid Osaka kicks-off at 3.30pm (that's 7.30am in Britain). When FA Officials arrived there at that time on Saturday, they walked into a wall of heat and humidity.

Medical advice suggests England's players could lose five litres of water during the match.

The whole England squad will now follow a strict programme of mineral and fluid intake over the next few days, which will carry on until well after the final whistle on Wednesday afternoon.

The doctors are particularly concerned about Paul Scholes. The asthmatic midfielder - who needed special permission to use an inhaler which he needs before a game and at half-time - is particularly affected by sweltering conditions.