http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1721446,00.htmlFriendly internationals show threats posed by England's World Cup Group B rivals Thursday March 2, 2006www.guardian.co.ukSwedenTactics The coach Lars Lagerback used a 4-1-3-2 formation. But with the full-backs reluctant to come forward and the midfield narrow except when Christian Wilhelmsson went towards the touchline, there was little width to their play. Much seems to rely on their strikers - Barcelona's Henrik Larsson, pictured, and Juventus's Zlatan Ibrahimovic - making things happen, and Ibrahimovic was missed after going off injured.
Star man Ibrahimovic showed in the 35 minutes he played that he can pose a real danger. Before getting a minor thigh injury he had set up a chance for Larsson with a lovely dinked pass, cleverly turned away two opponents before hitting a weak shot, and had another effort. Sweden were basically poor, though.
Beware England This was more a case of England seeing where they might profit. Sweden looked unusually vulnerable at the back, especially to pace, and the right-back Alexander Ostlund, of Southampton, was shaky. Robbie Keane caused them problems by dropping deep and they did not match Ireland's aggression. Keeping control of Larsson and Ibrahimovic - not an easy task - promises to be the key.
Threat rating On this showing only 2/10, but England v Sweden is never like that.
ParaguayTactics A British-style flat back four behind a four-man midfield and with two interchanging runners up front. That should be familiar enough to Sven-Goran Eriksson and his charges, and Paraguay's defensive line plays so high that it will be extremely vulnerable to the passing of David Beckham and the pace of Michael Owen on the counter-attack.
Star man Roque Santa Cruz; fortunately for Wales the Bayern Munich striker was not available to partner the effective Nelson Haedo Valdez, pictured, up front last night. That promises to be a
partnership more capable of challenging England's centre-backs than César Ramírez and Valdez were against Wales. The coach Maño Ruiz refers to Santa Cruz as the "compete footballer".
Beware England The long-range drives of Roberto Acuña. The Deportivo La Coruña midfielder has a ferocious shot and is confident enough to use it even when 35 yards out. He attempted three such efforts even in the first half last night, each increasingly close to Paul Jones's net. This is a technique employed by several Paraguayan players, with the left-back Delio Toledo as adept from distance as Frank Lampard or Steven Gerrard.
Threat rating 6/10.
Trinidad & TobagoTactics Lined up on Tuesday in a 4-4-2 formation though their Dutch coach Leo Beenhakker, pictured, hopes they will have more tactical flexibility after intensive coaching in the five weeks before the World Cup. They attack down the wings, where Dundee United's Collin Samuel was the chief threat. Dwight Yorke and Stern John offer craft up front.
Star man As with Greece, winners of the last tournament England appeared in, T&T's most important figure will be not on the pitch but on the bench. Before Beenhakker replaced Bertille St Clair they were hopeless, taking one point from the first three matches in qualifying. Galvanised by him they stormed past Guatemala to fourth place in the Concacaf group and a play-off against Bahrain. He tempted Yorke out of international retirement and the former Manchester United striker is his mouthpiece on the pitch.
Beware England Eriksson's men will consider themselves good enough to beat T&T quite easily, but whoever mans England's right wing should be prepared for a difficult evening. Even if Samuel can be kept under control the forays of the left-back Avery John will need to be monitored. T&T are not short of technical ability and can exceed limited expectations.
Threat rating: 3/10
