'I Was Surprised But It's a Great Honour. This Was Special'

David Beckham admitted it was "a surprise" to be handed the England captaincy for the first time in two years for last night's comfortable victory over Trinidad & Tobago, and the veteran midfielder was encouraged by the progress made under Fabio Capello to date.

The 33-year-old was wearing the armband for the first time since resigning the captaincy two years ago after elimination from the World Cup finals in Germany. "It was a surprise," he said. "I wasn't expecting it, but whenever I'm asked to represent my country I will answer the call and whenever I'm asked to captain my country it's an honour. This evening was very special. I wasn't expecting it but I enjoyed it.

"It was a comfortable performance in the end, but I think we made it like that because we started well in the first 20 minutes. We pressed them high up the pitch. The manager was telling us what to do before the game - to take it seriously and put in a performance - because we play against teams from all around the world and they all want to beat England. It was important to put in a performance, and that's what we did.

"This is a very serious camp. It was a very motivated squad and we all realize that, whether we have experienced players or young players in the team, we have to be a team from the starting XI right through the squad. The respect is there for the manager. That's the way it needs to be going forward because we want to win something. We are looking forward to getting started on the qualifiers now in the autumn. That's the main objective."

Beckham gave the armband to Gareth Barry at the interval after Capello took him off. "We played a good game and all the players showed good concentration," the manager said. "That was very important, even in a game we were winning like this. Since I took over the team, I think every game we go forward, step by step, and every game for me has been very important. I know better the players, and they know me better."

Jermain Defoe might have scored a first-half hat-trick but has now taken his international goal tally to five, albeit scored against Andorra, Poland and now Trinidad & Tobago. "I enjoyed it," said the Portsmouth forward. "It was good to get the goals, and to play for your country is the best thing in the world.

"I just want to keep on learning. When a new manager comes in everyone starts at the same level. I finished the season strongly and was very happy with my move to Portsmouth, and delighted to get the two goals."