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| Rooney (left) celebrates his first goal with Beckham |
David Beckham made a record-breaking 創紀錄 109th appearance for England as they comfortably beat Slovakia 4-0 on Saturday.
The midfield player now holds the most caps （替某國）出場次數 for an outfield player 除守門員外的球員, going one beyond previous record holder Bobby Moore.
The overall record is still held by former goalkeeper Peter Shilton, who made 125 appearances for his country. The reason people make a distinction between outfield appearances and goalkeeper appearances is that goalkeepers can often play until they are older, meaning they can take part in more games.
In Saturday's friendly match 友誼賽, Beckham came on as a second half substitute and delivered a fine performance, setting up a goal 創造進球機會 for Wayne Rooney and causing all kinds of problems for the Slovakian defence. Rooney was to score twice in an easy victory which also saw goals from Emile Heskey and Frank Lampard.
David Beckham says the key to his continued good form 良好狀態 is his high level of physical fitness 體能.
It's something that I have always known throughout my career – if I'm in the best shape I can play my best football.
David Beckham, England
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"It's something that I have always known throughout my career – if I'm in the best shape I can play my best football."
When talking about sport, the phrase 'to be in good shape' means to be in a good state of physical fitness. It can be used in other ways too: you might say that a company which is doing well is in good shape.
England captain John Terry also sung the praises 贊揚 of record-breaker Beckham, saying, "David has determination 決心 and fight, and can go on forever. He has given the manager food for thought, that is for sure."
David has determination and fight, and can go on forever. He has given the manager food for thought, that is for sure.
John Terry, England
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When he says Beckham has given the manager food for thought, he means he has given the manager something to think about.
But while David Beckham draws ever nearer to the magic number of 125 caps, John Terry believes that young striker Wayne Rooney could go even further.
"Wayne's potential is frightening. I was saying to him he could possibly get to 150 caps," said Terry.
Wayne's potential is frightening. I was saying to him he could possibly get to 150 caps.
John Terry, England
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In this context John Terry is not saying that Rooney himself is frightening, but that he has very high potential and looks likely to continue representing his country for a long time into the future.
Rooney, who is only 23, already has 49 caps and is set to win his 50th against Ukraine on Wednesday.
The striker has in the past been called a "crazy man" by England boss Fabio Capello due to his short fuse 火爆脾氣 and tantrums 發脾氣 on the pitch, but managed to keep this side of his game under control against Slovakia.
Looking ahead to Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Ukraine, the most frightening thing about Rooney is his form 狀態: the player has now scored seven goals in four games for England.
