PUSAN (South Korea), Dec 1: The luck of the draw deserted World Cup favourites Argentina and highly-rated England on Saturday when the two arch-rivals were placed in the same group for next year’s World Cup finals.

As if that was not a tough enough encounter, former African and Olympic champions Nigeria and hard-to-beat Sweden complete the quartet in group F which will now inevitably be dubbed the “group of death.”

The latest encounter in their long World Cup rivalry will take place in Sapporo, Japan on June 7. It will be the second match for both countries.

Argentina play Nigeria in their first game in Ibaraki on June 2 while England play Sweden on the same day in Saitama.

To make progress to the later stages even more difficult, whoever finishes second in the group are likely to face France in the second round, given that France are expected to win group A.

The reaction from all four countries told its own story.

England’s Swedish coach Sven Goran Eriksson said: “We are in the most difficult group. No doubt about that.”

Jose Pekerman, the director of the Argentine team, said: “Our rivalry with England is so special because the matches are always so tough and next year’s will be no exception. This group is really strong but it is OK because we are playing in Japan which is where we wanted to play.”

Swedish coach Lars Lagerback added: “I have known Sven since the 1970s and when we played England in a friendly at Old Trafford recently I have never known such emotion. It is going to be even more extreme next year.”

Nigeria’s Amodu Shaibu, dismissing any idea his team would be in the group simply to make up the numbers, said: “We are going to face three very tough opponents, but we are a very good team too. We have come here to qualify from the first round, not just for the ceremonies. It will be tough but we are confident.”—Reuters