Eriksson ready for the big guns

England coach travels to Pusan in relaxed mood despite seeding disappointment

Sven Goran Eriksson arrives in South Korea today seeking to avoid Argentina, France and Italy in tomorrow's World Cup draw. Nor is he keen to be paired with the hosts.

"Argentina, France and Italy are the favourites while Japan and Korea are working a lot to improve and could be the most dangerous outsiders," the England coach said before boarding his flight. Though that only leaves Brazil, Germany and Spain of the seeds, it would be somewhat misleading to suggest he had issued the rallying cry: "Bring on the Brazilians".

He did, however, add: "I have no problem with not being seeded, even though Germany came behind us in the qualifying group. Regardless of seedings we are a good team and we can have a good finals." Eriksson's upbeat mood was echoed by Adam Crozier, the FA chief executive, who travelled with him to Pusan.

"We are all greatly looking forward to the summer and believe we have no reason to be nervous of playing anyone," Crozier said. "We are relaxed about the seeding because one of the most important lessons we have learned over the last nine months is that it is all about what we do on the pitch."

Though both Thierry Henry, of France, and Luis Felipe Scolari, the coach of Brazil, tipped England as outsiders, few number them among the favourites. Steve Staunton went as far as hoping the Republic of Ireland draw England tomorrow. The Aston Villa defender, Ireland's most-capped international, said: "I would love to play England. It would make the World Cup even more special and give the fans something to look forward to."

Being outsiders may help England relax, to judge from the reaction of the Roger Lemerre, the coach of holders and favourites France, when he arrived yesterday. Lemerre argued openly with a French journalist over an article he disliked soon after checking into his hotel. After much finger-wagging Lemerre stormed out of the hotel lobby. This was probably a good choice, for the atmosphere in most Pusan hotels is not conducive to relaxation. Due to security fears plain-clothes policemen and women have been stationed on every floor of the major hotels. Fifa yesterday said "the World Cup will be the safest yet" and the Koreans are doing their best to set the standard with 1,000 police and security guards on duty tomorrow.

The tension in Pusan's BEXCO Exhibition Centre may be further raised by a blatant piece of product-placement. The latest plan, according to Fifa, is for the draw to be split by a musical interlude.

After the allocation of the seeds and remaining European sides, the draw will be interrupted by the official "World Cup song". The remaining South American and Asian sides, and those from Concacaf and Africa, will be drawn afterwards.

The World Cup song, "Boom", will be performed by the American singer Anastacia. Like other musicians performing at the draw her record label just happens to be Sony Music ­ a significant World Cup sponsor.