Becks eyeing free-kick glory

David Beckham is hoping to beat Brazil at their own game should the South Americans be England's next opponents at the World Cup.

The England captain admits he would relish scoring direct from a free-kick against a country which virtually invented the art of curling and swerving dead balls to lethal effect.

But he also insisted that England’s players weren’t getting carried away despite the massive level of expectancy back home and among the fans out in Japan.

He told Sky Sports News: ‘‘It would be nice to get any goal in that game, we’ll see.

‘‘If a free-kick’s there I’ll be ready, I’ve not really had one close enough to goal yet.

‘‘We’re not allowing ourselves to get carried away, we’ve done well.’’

Beckham, who has already received a Father’s Day card from his son Brooklyn, said he had also spoken to him about the game.

‘‘He’s very happy obviously, he watched most of the game and then went to a dog show, so he

wasn’t getting carried away either.’’

The Manchester United star acknowledged that a quarter-final meeting with Brazil was a mouth-watering prospect, but Ronaldo and co still have to overcome Belgium in their last-16 clash.

‘‘Obviously the people’s choice would be Brazil,’’ said Beckham.

‘‘The last time we played them at the World Cup was in 1970, I remember seeing the pictures of (Bobby) Moore changing shirts with Pele; two great people like that and it’s two great nations.’’

Asked if he thought this England team were making history themselves, he replied: ‘‘Not yet. We are three games closer to the final but we can’t let ourselves get carried away. We know people are getting excited at home, and so they should be.’’

Beckham was glad he was able to help ward off the only threat of indiscipline yesterday when he stepped in around right-back Danny Mills when he appeared set for a scuffle.

‘‘When situations happen like that you have to get round your team-mates. It was important I was closest to him and it was important I got round him and calmed the situation down,’’ Beckham added.