Owen - labelled a bore by Nigeria.

By Frank Malley, PA Chief Sports Writer, Osaka

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They have called Michael Owen a "bore". They have sarcastically labelled England "all good people" and directed their jealously specifically at David Beckham.

But come late Wednesday afternoon here the less than gracious men of Nigeria will be on their way home while England will be planning their next adventure at this intriguing World Cup.

That is, of course, assuming the England side turns up which played with such maturity and intelligence, as well as heart and energy, against Argentina rather than the one which lost all shape and direction in the second half against Sweden.

There is good reason to believe that we will see the former for there is nothing more energising than being in sight of the prize, albeit the first stepping stone of qualification for the second round in what England hope will be a long and glorious journey.

This England side know all about the anti-climax which so often comes after a famous triumph. In the heady aftermath of their 5-1 destruction of the Germans in Munich last year their form dipped alarmingly against Albania and Greece.

It was the mark of a young and developing side, but the signs against Argentina were that Sven-Goran Eriksson's men have learned their lesson, learned that competing consistently and successfully on the international stage is as much about concentration and application as talent.

No-one has demonstrated those two qualities to greater effect than Paul Scholes these past two weeks in Japan.

The Manchester United midfielder has always been a tenacious and feisty presence in England's midfield. He is renowned as a man with a sharp brain who drifts late and deep into opposition penalty boxes, bemusing the enemy radar with the sheer audacity of his positioning.

Against Argentina he was at his mercurial best, protecting defence, supporting attack, closing down runners, making himself available as an ever-present outlet for his teammates.

As such he was the man who gave England shape and fluidity. He was the player who made England tick.

Much more so than David Beckham who, for all the hype of his "four years of hurt" was a peripheral figure against Argentina, just as he had been a sideshow against Sweden.

The England captain's psychological value to his team-mates and his lethal work at set-pieces cannot be questioned but hard analysis reveals precious little influence in open play.

England have been fortunate to have a talent with such world class credentials as Scholes to run the show instead.

As well as providing a high-octane presence Scholes is also the master of putting his foot on the ball and slowing down a game when necessary.

It will be compulsory tomorrow in the suffocating humidity of this three t-shirts a day city. Slow and easy is the way of things in this baseball-mad territory where local Hanshin Tigers regularly push the World Cup off the front pages of the local sports papers.

The 90 degrees heat and high humidity is perfectly suited to the game of the laid-back Nigerians and there is no doubt that if they were to take the lead England would be in for a distinctly sticky afternoon.

The absence of Arsenal's Kanu with a foot injury makes life a little easier but Jay Jay Okocha in his last game before international retirement still presents a potent menace.

With the meticulous Eriksson in charge, however, there is little chance of England taking the game lightly. As he says "it would be stupid to let things go now".

And if Scholes continues his rich vein of form, despite the searing heat England should have enough to eke out a 1-0 victory, with a goal probably from Owen, which if Argentina draw with or beat Sweden would be enough to take them through to the knockout phase as leaders of their group.

How boring is that Nigeria?