Eriksson cautiously optimistic

13 April 2012

Sven-Goran Eriksson has warned that although Germany's failure to beat Finland has reignited England's chances of winning their World Cup group, it will mean nothing if his team do not defeat Greece.  

Germany had won their first four qualifiers and Eriksson had conceded that two more victories from trips to Finland and Albania on Wednesday would put them out of sight.

However, their 2-2 draw in Helsinki ensured that the fate of Eriksson's side lies in their own hands.

They trail the Germans by six points but have one match in hand and play them in Munich in September.

To secure first place and avoid the need for a two-legged play-off, England realistically need to win all four of their remaining games and go ahead of Germany on goal difference.

Barring any more German slip-ups, that means victory in Athens on Wednesday is still vital, with defeat meaning England would actually drop behind Greece into third place.

Eriksson said: "It's very encouraging for England that Germany were held to a draw.

"But that result in Finland will mean nothing unless we beat Greece on Wednesday and win the remainder of our group games.

"We now have a chance to win the group but the important thing is to focus on winning our remaining matches."

England captain David Beckham agreed with Eriksson's assessment.

"It's up to us now. If we don't get three points on Wednesday against Greece then that result means nothing," he insisted.

"We always felt that if we got to seven points, we could carry on. That's what the manager said when he first came in.

"We've done well in the last two qualifiers but we need to go on from that.

"We have always felt that if we can get to that stage and get playing good football and put a bit more pressure on the Germans, anything can happen.

"Obviously Finland were 2-0 up and had a couple of good chances to go 3-0 or 4-0 ahead, but if you don't take your chances, then everyone knows that the Germans can come back.

"At the start of the game, we'd have taken Germany drawing though."

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