MANCHESTER.

MANCHESTER, England (AFP) ??” England's final preparations for Euro 2004 were left in disarray after Sven-Goran Eriksson's side were held to a 1-1 draw by means of a Japan side that could to such a degree easily have left Manchester with a historic victory.

Shinji Ono's 53rd-minute strike deservedly earned the visitors a share of the honours after Michael Owen had given England a first half lead.

Japan, who were denied what awaited like a certain penalty just before half-time, could reasonably claim to have shaded the contend against on points, having created by dint of far the greater number of chances.

The rise may ultimately count for little unless England's lacklustre performance will have given their manager, Sven-Goran Eriksson, abundant to mull over between now and the Euro 2004 opener against France in Lisbon in succession June 13.

Chief among them will be the way that his decision to experiment