Eriksson ready to begin Cup quest:

Sven-Goran Eriksson says he is sending out the finest England team he has ever had on a mission to win the World Cup. The England coach exuded confidence as he placed total faith in his side ahead of the opener against Paraguay.
He said: "This is the best England team I have ever had - no doubt about it at all. When you have a great team and a good group you can set the tempo. I believe we can win the World Cup and it's important we get a winning start because it's a message to other teams."

Eriksson also explained why he took a tough line with Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson over Wayne Rooney's fitness. Ferguson is believed to be furious that Eriksson is prepared to plunge Rooney into World Cup combat after recovering from a broken foot.
But Eriksson said: "If we play a friendly I am not that worried if people withdraw some players. It is not the end of the world. But this might be the end of the world. This is the World Cup. This is important."
Liverpool's Peter Crouch will deputise for Rooney - and Eriksson has no doubts he is ready for the ultimate football stage. The Swede said: "It will be completely different. You can't compare Crouch with Rooney, but he is ready for this - absolutely."

And he is ready to place his trust in the players who are confident in their status as one of the pre-tournament favourites.
Eriksson said: "Three points is the most important thing. But I want to see the team play good football as well, defend well, attack well, concentrate on set pieces which will be very important.
"Once the game starts it is up to the players to remember all the preparation and talking and practicing we have done. It is up to the players. We have a fit team. We never had a fit team in Japan and never 100% in Portugal. This is a fit team." Eriksson, however, is not interested in an honour akin to the knighthood that came Sir Alf Ramsey's way after England's win in 1966.
He said: "I have never thought about that and it is not a big thing. I hope to leave the job alive!"