David Beckham says nightmare of Euro defeat still lingers
DAVID BECKHAM will this week jet across the Atlantic yet again on a mission to banish the haunting memory of one of his darkest days in an England shirt.
Fabio Capello's squad are gathering ahead of next Saturday's friendly against Slovenia at Wembley.
But the real business takes place four days later when England face Croatia in a World Cup qualifier that could rubber-stamp their passage to South Africa.
The clash will be a stark reminder of that rain-sodden night in November of 2007 when Steve McClaren peered from beneath an umbrella as England's hopes of appearing at Euro 2008 were washed away 3-2.
For Beckham, it was especially painful. He had appeared as a second-half substitute and was instrumental in England's fightback before Mladen Petric left the country on its knees - and McClaren out of a job.
Mortal
Beckham recalled: "It was one of my worst nights in an England shirt because of not qualifying. It was a bad end to that campaign. We definitely don't want to go through something like that again.
"For the country not to qualify for the European Championships was devastating."
A repeat of that calamitous evening would not be a mortal blow to England's qualification prospects.
But it would be a jarring setback to Capello's serene progress as England boss.
And an unlikely one, according to Beckham. The former skipper firmly believes this group of players has the talent and spirit to be a major force at World Cup 2010.
He explained: "When you qualify for a World Cup you always want to be optimistic, you always want to believe you can win. So I'm the same now. If you qualify, you have to believe that you are going to win.
"But you get a good feeling about this team because of the character we have, that when we do go behind we are able to come back. Also, I've always said we've had a good atmosphere in the dressing room but it has never been as good as this one."
Such is the apparent strength in depth of the squad that Beckham's place on the plane to South Africa is by no means guaranteed.
He knows it, saying: "We've got players in this squad and in this team that are trying to improve and impress every time they step out on to the training field or when they play.
"You see that all the way through the squad. In the past it might just have been about the first eleven but we've got a whole squad of players who can come in, perform and make a difference."
Aware
Beckham's chances of featuring next summer hinge, of course, not only on his performances with England but on his place of employment at the start of next year.
He confirmed: "People are always asking where I'm going next but I need to finish the season with LA Galaxy first.
"And then we'll see what happens. Everyone's aware that I need to be back at a European team leading up to the World Cup. The manager has stressed that to me and to everybody else."
Though he started the last international - the drawn friendly in Amsterdam - Beckham is still more likely to find himself on the bench for crucial England games. It's a situation he has no problems with.
He said: "Whether I start or whether I come on or I'm just with the squad, I'm happy."
This article has 16 comments
Listen l just read some unberlieveale comments about Beckham. l'm a Spurs man through and through, so don t talk about one of are Greats like that. The man is briiliant, what he has done for English Football is fantastic. l ll tell you all my son plays in Germany for Hannover, is young and ambitious,he meet Beckham maybe 5 years ago. after only a couple of minuets talking to him l saw a different boy, hard working, honest on the park, and a belife that he will make it one day,( which we hope for) l love my football and followed my club from the top to the bottom, saw them relegated but still l love them. So people support HIM ( BECKHAM) Yes he,s past his best but what he gives with his perence is what the younger players need. l watch Beckham nearly ever game he played for Milan, that man ran his heart out, he covers the ground like a kid. Respect him he is one of our Greats. l left England 20 years ago because its an English thing to slag of are stars, l would win any world cup( for slagging) by a mile. hen read some of this stuff l wonder that we even have a team anymore. If you can t support your team and players then just shut up.
By caribspurs. Posted September 5 2009 at 10:48 PM.
i think that beckham deserve to be part of the england squad to the next world cup.even though he is past his best, i think he can still deliver on the bigger stage to help win the world cup for england.
By nana antwi. Posted September 2 2009 at 7:31 PM.
So Beckham is going to banish his nightmare is he? Does that mean he's finally going to ditch Victoria. To be honest here she's been the torn in his side since she got with him. I'm not a fan of football can't stand it but I do feel that he could have done a lot better without her being in the background controlling everything he is or isn't doing.
By Lorna. Posted August 31 2009 at 2:21 PM.
Still top draw, would love him to come home and play out his days alongside our other golden generation players (Giggs, Scholes and best friend Neville). There is no bigger stage, than the Theatre of Dreams.
By Sik Puppi. Posted August 31 2009 at 5:00 AM.
Beckham will not end his career at united, not due to his footballing ability which could still merit a place, but simply because it would appear to undermine other players at the club. Sir Alex is far to savvy to become embroiled in another media fiasco when football should be the order of the day. Beckham is still rightfully envolved in the england squad, nobody lifts a team or has the experience of Beckham. Also to maintain this with all the media that surrounds him without totally humiliating himself like so many other celeb sports people, he deserves credit. An ambassador to football and a role model to a generation of children.
By Dan. Posted August 31 2009 at 2:29 AM.
"Fergie re-sign Beckham.?" You're obviously dreaming. Fergie got rid of him just in time and because of the circus surrounding Beckham and his massively inflated ego. He was a good footballer (not the best) but he will never be good enough to come back to Old Trafford. I wish Beckham would retire to Holywood with his A-lister friends and leave the job of World Cup football to those younger and more talented players who now deserve their chance. Beckham you're a hasbeen.
By Angus. Posted August 30 2009 at 2:32 PM.
Paulie,you are spot on,I believe that Becks could still do a job for United but could Fergie manage to swallow his pride and ask David to come back to Old Trafford? Iwould like to think so!
By Rita Cocking. Posted August 30 2009 at 2:32 PM.
I agree Beck,s should finish his career of ,where he belong,s ,At Manchester United , would be good , don,t think it will happen somehow !
By Dinner56. Posted August 30 2009 at 2:13 PM.
THE MAIN PROBLEM IS THAT"' WIFE '' OF HIS
SHE IS TRYING TO KILL HIS CARRIER LETS ALL
BE HONEST DAVID IS A GOOD PLAYER WELL NOT
LIKE BEFORE BUT HE CAN KIKS SOME BALL SO
PLS LETS ALL GIVE HIM A CHANCE .
BUT IS UP TO HIM TO DICIDE WHAT HE WANT.
By havlyn bonsu . Posted August 30 2009 at 1:03 PM.
i hope england qualify but to be honest apart from croatia they have played minnows they have not been tested england need to really look at themselves in 94 greece of all teams won it last year spain won england have not come close if i were a footballer i would be so hungry to get to the world cup finals and play brazil in the finals we need to have hunger in our belly if i were becks i woulf feel angry and frustrated at being left behind and not geting past the quarter finals it is not good enogh it really is not we need self belief that when our time comes we can beat france,brazil,germany portugl italy and life the world cup how come brazil franc and italy have won it 14 times between them not forgettig argentina we struggle on the big stage we need to be out there with the greats
By jade. Posted August 30 2009 at 12:54 PM.
Of course he was gutted not to go to the Euro's. The Beckams crave publicity like nobody else, but at least we know those horrible WAGS will not be going to the world cup!!..well done Fabio for stopping that circus..
By jim. Posted August 30 2009 at 10:13 AM.
I admire Beckham and what he has done the football pitch and he is good for the dressing room and the squad now.
However, he needs to pay out his contract with a Mickey mouse league that is the equivalent quality of English league 1 football, and come back to Europe and play Serie A, Primera or the EPL to get his plane ticket to South Africa.
By ben. Posted August 30 2009 at 9:46 AM.
beckham did marvelous for a period , those matches he covered every blade of grass and the goal against greece was it, i believe he is the one saying wants to put right the past memories , wasnt there a moment of madness when he kicked a player in retaliation in quite a big tournament so as he , so it appeared could do no more then get his own back, there appears to be culture of the more they ar paid the more influence they want on the pitch . let managers manage , players play and let the refs ref
By tony. Posted August 30 2009 at 5:34 AM.
funny how it was "about the 11 in the past" when beckham demanded his place be guranteed by the toothless Eriksson but now he isnt guranteed that place, it becomes "about the squad". You have to hand it to beckham, in the week before a national squad is decided, he may have failed to deliver at every international tournament he ever went to but you sure cant knock him for his brilliantly timed and organised PR.
By james. Posted August 30 2009 at 3:13 AM.
He should honour his contract and endorsements stateside. If we are to do any good in a euro or world competition we need young blood, and plenty of it. Fabio Capello is a winning coach, he knows what's needed so leave it to the man in charge and stop trying to pick his team or influence his judgement, otherwise we'll have more red faces one day soon.
By robert. Posted August 30 2009 at 1:59 AM.
Fergy should re-sign Beckham, he's still class and UTD need a little bit of creativity now that the whinging pain-in-the-ass has left for railways-madrid.....
Let Beckham finish his career at Man Utd, his last world cup chance, he will supply good balls for Owen, Rooney & Berbatov.......
You know it makes sense?
By Paulie (Stretford). Posted August 30 2009 at 12:30 AM.