Soccer: Beckham to face his demons for land of hope

Determined to overcome the spectre of France 98, England's captain is itching to get on the pitch, writes NICK TOWNSEND.

Four years ago, as a chastened David Beckham strode off the field at St Etienne, he cast the most cursory of backward glances at referee Kim Milton Nielsen and Diego Simeone, the far-from-contrite Argentine midfielder responsible for his red card.

Perhaps it was to confirm that he actually had behaved with such impetuous irresponsibility.

More likely, in his subconcious, it was to avoid looking directly at the England bench and a stony-faced Glenn Hoddle.

England's elimination from the last World Cup may have ultimately been the result of David Batty's missed penalty.

However, Beckham's sense of guilt on a night when his dismissal severely diminished his team's chances must have seared the then 23-year-old to the depths of his being.

Some players might never have fully recovered. A few might have been terminally damaged by such an experience. Beckham appears to have flourished after it.

Following the ignominy of France 98, few would have imagined that he would be back, stronger in character and even more refined in technique and diligent in his attitude, at another World Cup - and one in which, it can hardly be forgotten, Argentina will once again be the principal impediment to England's early progress.

"I'm glad I've proved to people that I could get over situations like that," Beckham said.

"I'm pleased about the way it's all gone over the last four years.

"It was hard at the time, but that's gone now and I'm really looking forward to putting all those demons to sleep."

Beckham said the Sweden game on Sunday was the first goal. "We've got to get off to a good start.

"But obviously the Argentina match is going to be big. It's been hyped up so much. Fortunately, we won't be involved in too much of that hype because we won't see the papers."

This will not be the first occasion that England have confronted the Argentines since 1998 - they met in a friendly, which finished goalless, at Wembley after qualifying for Euro 2000 - but it is liable to have the most potential for ill-discipline.

And the Argentines will try to wind Beckham up, it was suggested.

"I'm sure they will, but there'll be a bit of that on both sides," he said. "It's part and parcel of football these days. I'll just have to remember to keep my foot out of the way."

Ah, the celebrated left foot, apparently healed in ultra-fast time. David, like Cinderella, will go to the ball.

But will the slipper fit?

Before training and regaining his fitness in Dubai, the England captain predicted the Sweden game would not be a premature forecast for his return to the team. The latest outlook is gloomier and it could be he is not ready to return until the Argentine game.

England drew with the Koreans last week and showed a certain defensive frailty, but the country which still dreams of repeating its 1966 victory is being given the star treatment in Japan.

As coach Sven Goran Eriksson put it, the interest in Beckham and Michael Owen is such that "we will probably not leave the hotel very much."

Beckham knows how it feels to be idolised in an area of the world where Manchester United support is as fanatical as it is in Salford. He has come across it on pre-season tours with his club.

"It's something that I'd never experienced before," he said.

"Obviously, I get a lot of attention when I go out to places in England. But in Japan it was absolutely mad.

"You stepped out of your hotel room and there were 50 people waiting for you.

"I went shopping one day and I was mobbed by kids, girls, everyone, and they had to close the shopping centre down."

At least England will not be lacking support.

"I think after their own team, England are their next favourites," Beckham said. "That will be a good thing about being there."

It says everything about the revitalised Beckham, who at least will approach the World Cup games fresher in mind and body than some of his team-mates and members of the opposition.

His manner was one of insouciance as he discussed the downside of fame.

"I feel that I'm a down-to-earth person, anyway. All this does go on around me, but I know what the important things in life are."

Had not the injuries to Steven Gerrard and one of his best friends, Gary Neville, severely restricted England's chances?

"Those injuries are obviously devastating to the players concerned, but we have to move on," he said.

"Robert Pires is out of the French squad, but I'm sure they'll get over it.

"We've got to believe that we can win.

"There's no point going over there, thinking you're going to make the numbers up, is there?"

And in the case of the England captain perhaps to atone for his perceived sins of four years ago. Fully and finally.

- INDEPENDENT

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