Beckham prepared if England go to penalties

BUHLERTAL, Germany, June 23 (Reuters) Captain David Beckham said England were ready for a penalty shootout if needed in Sunday's World Cup second-round match with Ecuador in Stuttgart.

England have a poor record in shootouts after being knocked out at the 1990 and 1998 World Cups, plus Euro 96 and Euro 2004. Though the team have been practising penalties for weeks, Beckham told reporters today: ''You can prepare on the training pitch but once you're in the stadium with 60,000 or 70,000 fans watching you, it's different.

''We've prepared enough, we've been practising. Hopefully it won't come to that, hopefully we can finish it off after 90 minutes.

''But if it comes to that, we're prepared.'' Beckham has been replaced by Frank Lampard as England's main penalty-taker after missing against Turkey in a Euro 2004 qualifier, against France at the finals and in their shootout defeat by hosts Portugal.

But his record would not stop him taking another on Sunday.

''I'd put myself up there,'' he said. ''I've said all along I'd step up for a penalty whether I'm in the first five or not.'' Beckham also paid tribute to the well-behaved England fans who have followed their team at these finals.

''That's what's been one of the biggest highlights of this tournament so far, there's hardly been any trouble and hopefully that continues,'' Beckham said.

''The support we have got...is extraordinary and we thank them so much for that.

''The amount of money that goes out of people's pockets to go and watch the England team play is extraordinary and that support gives you an extra man when you're on the pitch.'' REUTERS DH KN1901