Eriksson needs to find the missing link

BADEN BADEN, Germany, June 27: Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson needs to solve a tactical puzzle if England are to get revenge on a depleted Portugal in Saturday's World Cup quarter-final.

England's first appearance in the last four since 1990 and third time ever is the tantalising prospect if Eriksson can find the right set-up in midfield and attack for his hitherto mis-firing side.

He used a five-man midfield for their 1-0 second round win over Ecuador, with Wayne Rooney used as a lone striker with his back to goal and shackled by at least two defenders.

It was a high price to pay for having Michael Carrick as a holding midfielder, buttressing the defence behind the more attack-minded Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard.

Rooney had little opportunity to pick the ball up in the final third and make one of his trademark surges into the box, though he found more space in the closing stages as Ecuador pushed up in search of an equaliser.

England are far more used to playing 4-4-2, with a predatory Rooney able to lurk just behind the striker, in this case Peter Crouch after Michael Owen's long-term injury.

With Portugal likely to deploy five men in a busy midfield, Eriksson may well keep a holding man in there to avoid being outnumbered and sliced open by short passes.

England have shown no fluency in their passing game with either formation, though, and Eriksson badly needs to get it back against a Portugal side who revel in possession.

Significantly, four of England's six goals have come from a single moment of individual skill from outside the box rather than as a result of a well-worked collective move.

Two David Beckham free kicks, one turned into his own net by Paraguay captain Carlos Gamarra, a fine Gerrard drive against Trinidad&Tobago and Joe Cole's magnificent 30-metre volley against Sweden were all masterstrokes.

Portugal, who will be hard hit by suspensions for creative playmaker Deco and midfield hard man Costinha, knocked England out of Euro 2004 as hosts in a penalty shootout.

It was a fully-deserved win after they dominated possession and froze England out of the game for long periods -- and they will look to do the same in Gelsenkirchen.

Carrick, whose unhurried ease on the ball would be a valuable commodity on Saturday, will face competition from the more aggressive Owen Hargreaves if the latter no longer needs to fill in at the back for Gary Neville.

England's first choice right back is hoping to return after a calf injury, adding a further piece to Eriksson's puzzle.

REUTERS