England eager to finally beat Sweden and top group for first time since 1990

England hasn't beaten Sweden since 1968. It's starting to irritate.

Photo: England eager to finally beat Sweden and top group for first time since 1990

England eager to finally beat Sweden and top group for first time since 1990

The run goes back 11 matches and includes a 1-1 draw in the group stage at the 2002 World Cup.

Then, Sweden won the group. On Tuesday, England wants that honor, for the first time since the 1990 World Cup.

"I think it's about time we put a stop to this Sweden thing and we go out on Tuesday and get a win against them," England midfielder Steven Gerrard said Saturday. "We're really confident we can go and get three points."

The last time England won all three of its group games was at the 1982 World Cup, where it was eliminated in the second round. England only needs a draw against Sweden to advance as Group B winner.

"That record is something that, for me, has no bearing on the game," said midfielder Frank Lampard, who turns 28 on the day of the match. "It's a nice to thing to talk about. It's an interesting fact and it's something that we don't like hanging over us, but this is a one-off game that is important for us to top our group."

Both players acknowledge that England has to increase its intensity. It struggled in the heat during its 1-0 victory over Paraguay, won because of an own-goal. It then took 83 minutes for England to break down the Trinidad and Tobago defense in Thursday's 2-0 win that secured its place in the second round.

"The players are desperate to improve and want to improve," Gerrard said. "We've come under a bit of criticism of late and we're taking that on board.

"We do understand that we need to start playing better quickly. I'm really confident that the further we go into this tournament, the better we'll play. We've got a lot of big players in our squad who can perform on the big stage. We won't disappoint in this tournament."

Lampard wants England to better dictate the pace of the game _ something it didn't achieve against the Soca Warriors.

"We have to up the tempo. We have to find the right times to move the ball about quickly, and sometimes playing to the strengths that we have up front," Lampard said. "When we have the ball and we move it quickly, I think we're very hard to defend against."

It helps that Wayne Rooney has returned. The Manchester United striker made his World Cup debut in the 58th minute against Trinidad and Tobago, nearly seven weeks after breaking a bone in his right foot. He didn't score, but the focus on him freed other players and he also helped provide a link from the midfield to the forwards.

"We always knew that the moment he came on, it would be a lift for the fans and the team because he's a very important player for us," Lampard said. "We have become obsessed with the Wayne Rooney situation. Now that he's fit, it's about the team."

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson might start Rooney against Sweden. Peter Crouch has a yellow card _ along with Gerrard and Lampard _ and another on Tuesday will suspended them for the round of 16.

Michael Owen has struggled to find his sharpness but needs match practice and likely will start.

England's only injury worry now is right back Gary Neville, who hurt his right calf and sat out the Trinidad and Tobago match. He missed training Saturday and is doubtful for Sweden. Jamie Carragher is the likely replacement again.

Lurking in the second round is Germany. The World Cup hosts' match against Ecuador earlier Tuesday will determine first and second place in Group A. Ecuador needs only a draw to claim the top spot on goal difference. Group B's winner plays the runner-up of Group A and vice versa.

Lampard doesn't mind who England faces.

"We will be difficult opponents for whoever," he said. "For us, there's no preference because they are both strong teams," reports AP.

O.Ch.