Breakfast with Beckham
04/06/02 | by Alex Walker

So we're finally underway and I've had my first taste of football in the wee small hours of the day. At first, I was a bit sceptical. I struggle to get up before lunchtime these days, and was slightly concerned that this would be the first World Cup I'd sleep right through. Why do they have to play the games at such ridiculous times?!?

But unfortunately the world does not revolve around me. It revolves around the sun, meaning that if they want to get any football played over in the Far East then they have to kick-off while I'm sleeping soundly back here in England.

Once I'd accepted this, I started to think that maybe this wasn't such a bad thing. Football (with the added bonus of early opening down the pub) might be the one thing capable of persuading me to leave my slumber.

Indeed, I did manage to wake up in time for the first game, although I must admit I slept through the opening ceremony, something which is normally enough to make you drift off as it is.

I also managed to rise at the crack of dawn the following morn to catch Ireland's game, so Sunday's jaunt was no problem for a now-seasoned 'morning person' like me.

Down the pub and pint in hand, I was pleased to see England get off to a good start. They dominated the early exchanges and threatened to find the break on a number of occasions.

It took a worrying amount of time for Sol Campbell to break the deadlock, but the passion and relief on his face when he celebrated was very nice to see.

But where was the passion in the second half?

Other than Danny Mills, there was very little grit and determination from the team, and his enthusiasm and a rush of blood resulted in Sweden equalising.

But a draw is not the end of the world. You can qualify with four points, but it would need other results to go our way. Which means we need to get at least a draw against Argentina to stand a good chance of progressing. A win would put us in with a good chance of winning the group, but who wants to win? We'd probably get France!

I think we can do well against the Argies, especially if we play like we did in the first half against Sweden. We contained their entire attack force with ease and another focused performance like that (this time over 90 minutes) would help dampen the undoubted talents of the South Americans.

I'd also like to see Joe Cole get his chance. Beckham looked unfit and Scholes was out of sorts. As for Emily Heskey, he's hardly the John Barnes figure we need on the left. He can't even cross for a start.

Cole's creativity and ability to transform a game in Gazza-like manner might just be the edge for England in a match that will no doubt be tight.

But if England do go out before their time, I won't let it spoil my enjoyment of this World Cup. So far we've seen some fantastic skill, as well as disgraceful cheating and the dullest eight-nil win in history.

Either way, it's good viewing and worth getting out of bed for.