Post by Taxigirl on Nov 9, 2005 11:13:49 GMT
www.sportinglife.com/football/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/05/11/09/SOCCER_Beckham.html
England captain David Beckham is relishing another opportunity to lock horns with old foes Argentina.
Beckham has personal history with Argentina having suffered the lowest point of his international career when he was sent off in the World Cup second round loss against them in 1998 for kicking Diego Simeone.
The Real Madrid midfielder then scored the winner against them on his 50th England appearance in the 2002 World Cup in Japan.
Now he is preparing to captain England for the 50th time in this Saturday's friendly with the South Americans in Geneva.
Beckham told The Sun: "People go on about my foul on Simeone and the red card but I'd obviously rather people talk about me scoring the penalty four years later.
"Every time we play Argentina there is a hysteria around the game and what has happened, not just with me over the last few years but with other people as well.
"It seems Argentina are destined to play a big part in my career. It's a special moment. Not only because it's my 50th as captain but because it's against a team rated as one of the best in the world."
Beckham has also admitted he did not want to give up the responsibility of taking England's penalties - but did it for the good of the side.
The 30-year-old stepped aside in favour of Frank Lampard after missing three times in succession from the spot.
He passed on the job earlier this year after missing in the Euro 2004 quarter-final shootout defeat against Portugal but Lampard did not get a chance from 12 yards until last month's World Cup qualifier against Austria.
Beckham said: "I never like to give up on things. I always believe I can succeed whatever I put my mind to.
"But I think it is better for the team to have a regular penalty-taker rather than me who hardly ever takes them for Real.
"The defining factor was Frank does it for Chelsea and to have a regular penalty-taker is important for us."
England captain David Beckham is relishing another opportunity to lock horns with old foes Argentina.
Beckham has personal history with Argentina having suffered the lowest point of his international career when he was sent off in the World Cup second round loss against them in 1998 for kicking Diego Simeone.
The Real Madrid midfielder then scored the winner against them on his 50th England appearance in the 2002 World Cup in Japan.
Now he is preparing to captain England for the 50th time in this Saturday's friendly with the South Americans in Geneva.
Beckham told The Sun: "People go on about my foul on Simeone and the red card but I'd obviously rather people talk about me scoring the penalty four years later.
"Every time we play Argentina there is a hysteria around the game and what has happened, not just with me over the last few years but with other people as well.
"It seems Argentina are destined to play a big part in my career. It's a special moment. Not only because it's my 50th as captain but because it's against a team rated as one of the best in the world."
Beckham has also admitted he did not want to give up the responsibility of taking England's penalties - but did it for the good of the side.
The 30-year-old stepped aside in favour of Frank Lampard after missing three times in succession from the spot.
He passed on the job earlier this year after missing in the Euro 2004 quarter-final shootout defeat against Portugal but Lampard did not get a chance from 12 yards until last month's World Cup qualifier against Austria.
Beckham said: "I never like to give up on things. I always believe I can succeed whatever I put my mind to.
"But I think it is better for the team to have a regular penalty-taker rather than me who hardly ever takes them for Real.
"The defining factor was Frank does it for Chelsea and to have a regular penalty-taker is important for us."