Eriksson - concerned about conditions (Allsport)

By John Curtis, PA Sport, Kobe

Sven-Goran Eriksson has admitted that England must "beat the heat" if they are to keep alive his life-long dream of lifting the World Cup.

Eriksson knows that the expected sweltering temperatures in the mid-afternoon will be a key factor when England take on favourites Brazil in Friday's quarter-final clash in Shizuoka.

England's only previous experience of such conditions was in their final group match with Nigeria in Osaka a week ago when the temperature was 93 degrees and the high humidity level also was a big factor.

It will clearly favour the Brazilians on Friday - and Eriksson quipped that he would even be happy to take part in a rain dance if it had the desired effect.

But on a more serious note he knows that David Beckham and Co. have to conquer the elements as well as their opponents if they are to advance to the semi-finals.

Eriksson said: "If I could change the kick-off time so we could play in the evening, then I would do it at once because that would suit us better.

"The perfect conditions for us were like against Argentina in the Sapporo Dome and also Denmark last Saturday.

"In an ideal world I would hope for plenty of rain because we are used to rain in England. I would be happy to do a rain dance! Let's just hope it works.

"But the fact is changing the kick-off time is impossible and we have to do all that we can to beat the heat.

"If it's hot, then it is hot although then it is very difficult to maintain the tempo. All the games that have kicked off in the afternoon have been slower in this World Cup but we still have to play football.

"Against Nigeria the players did pace themselves quite well and did quite well in the second half and it is important they take on board as much water as possible to rehydrate."

Eriksson knows how much it would mean to the people back home in England for Beckham to lift the World Cup on June 30 but it is something he has dreamed about himself for many years.

Now the Swede is only three matches way from achieving that ambition with his adopted country.

He said: "I know England has been waiting since 1966 to win the World Cup again. I have been waiting all my life. To do that would be something special."