The heat is on in Osaka

England went into their breakfast showdown with Nigeria this morning in searing heat and airless humidity.

Defeating the already doomed Nigerians would see David Beckham and his team top the so-called Group of Death, and open an inviting path all the way to the semifinals, a stage England has not reached for a dozen years.

Yet the sauna-like conditions in Osaka - forecasters expect 34C temperatures and 77 per cent humidity - had many predicting that the weather would be as much of an obstacle as the Nigerian team.

Sven-Goran Eriksson acknowledged that the weather would make things difficult, but not impossible.

"It will be very, very hot," he said. "but we always knew we were not going to be playing in English conditions. Let's hope people back in England have a nice breakfast, calm and nice."

New Zealander Lisa Hurry, 30, who became an England fan as a condition of her marriage to husband Stuart, from Nottingham, said: "It's really quite horrible. We've lived out here for two years now but you never get used to it, you just struggle to get through."

Assistant Chief Constable Ron Hogg, the British officer advising Japanese police on security, said he was "delighted with the fans' behaviour so far, while Sports Minister Richard Caborn said he was impressed by their behaviour.

"It's very pleasing to be Sports Minister on the day when you receive compliments on behalf of England fans.