DAVID Beckham showed he could still play a role for England when he won his 100th cap last night, and insisted afterwards that he is hungry for more.
The LA Galaxy midfielder looked a little rusty at times, but gave a typically hard-working performance at the Stade de France and was involved in much of England's attacking play before being replaced by David Bentley in the 63rd minute.
The 32
-year-old, who made his England debut against Moldova in a World Cup qualifier in September 1996, became only the fifth English player to achieve a century of appearances for his country. Billy Wright (105 caps) was the first to reach the milestone in 1959 and was followed by Bobby Charlton (106), Bobby Moore (108) and England's record appearance holder Peter Shilton (125).
Beckham worked tirelessly on the right wing and received a standing ovation from the crowd when he was substituted. "David played like I know he can play," said England head coach Fabio Capello. "I only substituted him because I wanted to see other players."
Camera flashes sparkled around the stadium when the former Manchester United favourite took his first corner after six minutes.
Beckham then fell just short of netting his 18th goal for England when he narrowly failed to connect at the far post with a low Ashley Cole cross.
Wearing golden boots, Beckham picked up a yellow card eight minutes before the interval when his lack of condition forced him to pull Franck Ribery's shirt. Beckham saved his team from the threat posed by Nicolas Anelka by beating the Chelsea forward to the ball just before being replaced by Bentley to a standing ovation from both the French and English fans.
"I'm very honoured," he said. "From when I started playing I never dreamed I'd get to 100 and beyond. It's every player's dream to play for their country let alone get 100 caps.
"I'm happy, but I want to carry on.
I proved my fitness, I felt fresh and sharp and it was good to be here as Paris is one of my favourite places in the world."
France defender William Gallas approached Beckham at full-time to swap shirts but the England man declined. "He did ask me, but I think he forgot what game it was for me," he said.
The full article contains 398 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
