Beckham confident of staying distance

June 5, 2002

David Beckham is determined to last the full 90 minutes of England's crunch game against Argentina.

The England skipper revealed the problem which forced him out of the game against Sweden after an hour was one of fitness and not his foot inury.

But he insists five extra days will take him up to 95% match fitness when he faces the Argentines, who are the joint favourites with Brazil to win the World Cup.

The Manchester United star was sidelined for eight weeks with a broken foot sustained in the Champions League quarter-final with Deportivo La Coruna.

Beckham admitted on Wednesday that he was still feeling pain from the injury after his comeback in the opening World Cup game against the Swedes.

He said: "I'm about 95% fit now and I think I could get through on that. I have had a few extra days since the Sweden game and there will be five days up until the match to get myself fit.

"My foot feels fine now and I'm hoping to last the full 90 minutes this time."

Beckham admitted he was frustrated at how he ran out of energy against Sweden, forcing England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson to substitute him after only 62 minutes.

Beckham said: "I think it was a problem with my lungs more than anything, and my legs disappeared on me in the second half.

"It was very frustrating because that has never happened to me before.

"I suppose after eight weeks out and coming into a World Cup game it's understandable, but I didn't expect it because I've never had it before.

"It is frustrating when you do work hard every day to get fit and then you do feel tired after 60 minutes.

"It is particularly frustrating because I'm one of those people who likes to run around for the full 90 minutes and more."

Beckham will be a key figure in a match England will be desperate to win after a disappointing start to their campaign against Sweden.

He said: "I'm very proud to go into such an important game playing for England, and being captain makes it that extra bit special."

Beckham also revealed that England's confidence took a knock in the opening 1-1 draw with Sweden.

He said: "Our belief was down a bit and we admit that.

"But we have lifted ourselves back up and we have to believe we can beat Argentina."

BBC Sport Online