7 September 2005
David Beckham post-match

England captain David Beckham says that England must bounce back following defeat to Northern Ireland.


England captain David Beckham has said the players will all stick together following their 1-0 defeat to Northern Ireland in the World Cup qualifier.

David Healy’s strike in the 74th minute was enough to separate the two sides in Belfast but Beckham insists England will bounce back and win the two remaining home fixtures against Poland and Austria to reach Germany 2006

He said: “Some strong words have been said in the dressing room by the manager and the lads have had to take it because it has been an embarrassment.

“But we will stick together because that is what we are about. Even when we have been criticised, we stick together.

“We will put it right, that is all we can do. If we win the next two games we go top of the group and still qualify.

“We will get criticised now but we have a great team and if we are to win the World Cup we will have to play a lot better than we did tonight.”