Beckham hungry for final prize

Michael Hart13 April 2012

England captain David Beckham today dismissed out of hand those peddling the theory that a quarter-final exit from the World Cup would represent a satisfactory conclusion to Sven-Goran Eriksson's first big challenge as a national team coach.

"A lot of people didn't expect us to get into the last eight," said Beckham today. "We're happy to be in the quarter-finals but I don't think we should feel satisfied with that.

"Our expectations are high and we want to go as far as we can. Going out at the quarter-final stage won't be good enough for me personally and I'm sure it won't be good enough for the rest of the squad either.

"We can't tell ourselves that a last eight place is satisfactory. We just can't allow ourselves to think that way. You've got to believe that you can go all the way in a competition like this."

This steely attitude is further evidence of the growing maturity of a young team that is now emerging as a realistic contender for a place in the final in Yokohama on 30 June. The intriguing fact is that if England can survive Friday's quarter-final they will face either Senegal, Japan or Turkey in the semi-final. No England-team has ever faced such an enticing semi-final prospect. In 1966 Sir Alf Ramsey's World Cup winners had to beat Portugal in the semi-finals and in 1990 Sir Bobby Robson's men just failed to edge out West Germany.

This is a World Cup without, as yet, a single outstanding team although Brazil are clearly blessed with the greatest number of outstanding individual players. For a team like England, diligent, disciplined and difficult to beat, there is clearly a golden opportunity to stand on the shoulders of some of the giants already dismissed from the tournament.

England's progress here has to be judged against Eriksson's starting position back in February 2000. When he succeeded Kevin Keegan, even qualification looked unlikely but now, preparing for his 20th match in charge, he is just one win away from the World Cup semi-finals.

"As a group we have never talked seriously about winning the World Cup," insisted Erkisson. "All we do is try to win the next game. It's brought us luck so far, so why should we change it? "Our first target was simply to survive the first three games. We did that. Our next target was reaching the quarterfinals. We've now done that too."

The manner of England's emphatic 3-0 win over Denmark in Niigata suggests that Eriksson's young team now have the confidenceto survive among the World Cup's big guns.

That self-belief is based around the form of a defence that enjoys one of the best records at the World Cup. David Seaman has conceded just one goal in four games.

"I think we've shown in the last few weeks that we're very single minded," said Beckham. "We're focused on the job and I think you can see that in our defensive record. We defend as a team, from the front strikers to back. But I think you have to say that the back four has been brilliant for us in this World Cup."

Rio Ferdinand has emerged as England's single most influential defensive figure. His pace has rescued several lost causes and his ability to read the game reminds me of the former England and West Ham captain Bobby Moore at his best.

Defensively this is beginning to look like England's best World Cup since Spain in 1982 when they conceded-just one goal in five games. Former England captain Terry Butcher, who played in that tournament, said: "I can't fault our defence at the moment. Sol Campbell has loads of experience and Rio is looking like one of the best central defenders in the world.

"If I had a little worry beforehand it was about the two fullbacks but I've been impressed with both Danny Mills and Ashley Cole. I haven't seen a better defensive unit at the World Cup." Eriksson, always reluctant to praise individuals, happily acknowledged the contribution from his entire back four against the Danes. "They are becoming very difficult to break down and that is a very encouraging sign for us," said the Swede, who also praised his assistant coach Steve McClaren's contribution.

What has also contributed to England's progress is the depth of support they've enjoyed and the warmth of the Japanese. "I never imagined that England and Beckham would be so popular," said Eriksson. The crowds of well wishers, standing at the roadside hoping to glimpse the England players in their escorted convoy, even wave and cheer when the media coaches sweep by.

Beckham generates pop-star adulation and has further endeared himself to the locals by suggesting that he might finish his playing career in Japan and open a soccer school here.

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