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Saturday, March 28, 2009

ENGLANG 4 SLOVAKIA 0

Wayne Rooney and David Beckham stole the show as England swept Slovakia aside 4-0 on Saturday in a warm-up for the home World Cup qualifier against Ukraine next week.
Beckham became England's most capped outfield player while Rooney earned a rave review from coach Fabio Capello with a two-goal man-of-the-match performance in the 4-0 victory at Wembley.
"(Rooney) played very well. It was a very important game for him," said Capello, who had warned the striker in the build-up to control his volatile temper, which flared up once again playing for Manchester United last weekend when he was sent off in a shock defeat at Fulham.
"I thought we played well today and deserved the win. I thought we played very well the first half hour and could have maybe scored more than the one goal but we are delighted with the win and delighted with the four goals," Rooney said.
Capello said he was pleased with the way Beckham played after replacing Aaron Lennon at halftime to earn his 109th cap, taking him past the 108 won by the late Bobby Moore.
"David Beckham played like David Beckham, and it was a very important cross for Rooney's first goal. It was a very nice moment, and in general the team played very well. Their movement with the ball and all over the pitch was good," he said.
Beckham said: "I am very proud, you know. I think when you grow up you always dream of playing for your country and dream of playing at Wembley and I have been able to play at both Wembleys and have played for my country one hundred and nine times, so it is very special for me."
Capello said defender Rio Ferdinand and winger Shaun Wright-Phillips did not play because he did not want to risk them in a friendly.
Both should be fit for Wednesday's Group Six match, in which leaders England will be defending a 100 percent record, after nursing injuries picked up in training in the week.

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