Eriksson watches on from the England bench (Allsport)

By John Curtis, PA Sport, Niigata

England goal hero Michael Owen is confident he will be fit for next Friday's World Cup quarter-final against either Brazil or Belgium despite picking up a groin injury in the 3-0 defeat of Denmark on Saturday.

An own goal by goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen, plus strikes by Owen and Emile Heskey, put England into the last eight in Niigata but Liverpool hitman Owen did not reappear for the second half and was replaced by Robbie Fowler.

"I could have stayed on, I think," said Owen. "I felt something in my groin with a couple of minutes left (of the first half).

"There was no point in trying to risk it for the second half. We were 3-0 up by then."

Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson explained: "Owen has a groin injury but we do not think it is a bad one. We think he will be okay for the next game.

"Paul Scholes twisted an ankle but we do not think it is bad. He should be fine, too."

With the mouthwatering prospect of a last-eight clash against favourites Brazil on the horizon, Owen revealed he was in the mood for more goals after scoring his first of the tournament.

"I've scored one and I hope I can get a couple more goals for the team," he added.

"I never managed to score in the first round but I was involved in a lot of moves. I played a small part in helping the team get through and it was nice to get off the mark."

Asked if he would prefer to play Brazil or Belgium, Owen said: "There have been a lot of surprises so I would not put it past Belgium to win. Everyone knows how good Brazil are. It will be a tough game either way."

Defensive kingpin Rio Ferdinand said: "Let's wait and see who we will play. We were good defensively today and the whole team worked hard.

"I saw fans doing congas and Mexican waves - hopefully we can keep them smiling and happy for longer."

Eriksson added: "Maybe 3-0 is too much but we won it and are in the quarter-final.

"All the players defended well in the second half."

But he refused to be drawn on who he would like to meet next Friday in the quarter-finals.

"Brazil are playing well at the moment and are one of favourites.

"It is an open World Cup now. We have time to rest and recover and heal our injuries.

"We have given the fans a nice weekend and that is good."

Skipper David Beckham said: We have done our job, played some great football, and in the second half we just made sure of it.

"I was pleased for Emile [Heskey] and and Michael [Owen]. It was nice for Michael to get his first goal of the competition.

"The whole team came in for a bit of stick after the last game. One person described it as awful but we have done a good job today.

"Denmark are a good team but we worked hard and defended well.

"I'm not bothered if we get Brazil or Belgium. I want to play the best team and the best players. Both are good teams. Whoever we get we are in the quarter-finals and happy."

Denmark coach Morten Olsen admitted individual errors cost his team dear.

"I thought we reacted well after conceding the two early goals, but then we conceded again and that was that," said Olsen.

"To get three goals back against the English is nearly impossible.

"I thought we played very well in the second half and we came across some good chances.

"From my point of view, we played a good game but made a couple of mistakes."

Sunderland goalkeeper Sorensen took the blame for the opening goal in which he bundled Ferdinand's effort into his own net.

"Obviously it was a mistake and it was the wrong kind of start to give England," he said.

"All credit goes to them, but with a bit of luck we could have scored one or two goals - it wasn't to be though."

However Sorensen dismissed England's chances of winning the World Cup, with Brazil their likely opponents in the next round.

"They are going to have to play better than they did today if they want to go far in the tournament," he said.

"I think they will have a lot of problems if they play Brazil."