England survived the World Cup "Group of Death" with an indifferent 0-0 draw against already eliminated Nigeria yesterday to earn a second-round showdown with Denmark.
Unrecognizable from the team who beat pre-tournament favorites Argentina 1-0 on Friday, England lacked urgency moving forward in the first half and were sloppy at the back at times but they took more control in the second half.
"It was important for us today to control the game as we did nearly all the second half," England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said, adding that Osaka's afternoon heat had taken its toll on his players.
"We had more chances than them but we didn't score today. Let's hope we save that for Saturday," he added, looking ahead to England's next match against Denmark in Niigata, Japan.
England captain David Beckham was happy with the result.
"We are building momentum now," he said, noting that champions France and pre-tournament favorites Argentina were now both out of the way.
"It does open it up a lot and I'm sure there'll be a few more surprises on the way," he added.
England, who has never lost to an African side in 13 encounters, finished second in Group F with five points behind Sweden who drew 1-1 with Argentina in the other match to top the group with five points but more goals scored.
England came closest to scoring in the first half when Paul Scholes's long shot was tipped onto the post and bounced out.
Nigeria, playing an experimental side with five changes from the team beaten 2-1 by Sweden, could have snatched a departing win with better finishing.
England treated most the first half like their pre-World Cup friendly with Cameroon."Luckily we got through in the end," central defender Rio Ferdinand said. "We knew they would play for pride and they didn't disappoint us.
England finally roused itself for the closing minutes of the first half, when Owen had a shot on the run deflected away and another charged down by a packed defense, while Danny Mills smacked a free shot hopelessly wide.
Their best chance fell to Scholes, whose 25m drive was tipped onto the post and out by Nigeria's teenage goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama.
England made an even worse start to the second half with a wayward Sol Campbell pass intercepted by Julius Aghahowa, the danger being averted only by the returning defenders.
But Owen nearly broke the deadlock before the hour when his outstretched boot just failed to connect with an Emile Heskey daisy-cutter from the right flank.
An even better chance fell to substitute Teddy Sheringham, who ballooned his shot over from less than 10m in the 75th minute, as England ground out the draw and their place in the next round.
"The back four were excellent throughout the game," Beckham said. "We were quite comfortable. We had quite a few chances but didn't take any of them but we're happy."
Ferdinand said England had been under pressure.
"There was enough pressure because people expected us to win after our Argentina result," said Ferdinand. "We're a young bunch and hold no fear of anybody else."
Nigeria coach Adegboye Onigbinde consoled himself with thoughts of the future, saying he had two objectives when he took over -- to present a team that did not disgrace Nigeria and to lay the foundations for a new Super Eagles as Nigeria are known.
"You have a sound foundation for a new-look Super Eagles," he said. "I think the sky is the limit for this team."
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