• World Cup

Defoe confesses to altitude difficulties

Soccernet staff
June 8, 2010
Jermain Defoe found it difficult to breathe © Getty Images
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Jermain Defoe said England struggled to cope with the high altitude during their final World Cup warm-up match on Monday.

England beat South African club side Platinum Stars 3-0 at the Moruleng Stadium near Rustenburg, with Defoe firing home on three minutes before Joe Cole and Wayne Rooney rounded off the scoring in the second half.

However, Fabio Capello's men looked far from impressive and Defoe admits the players had struggled to cope with the conditions.

"It was quite difficult to breathe out there to be honest," Defoe said. "We are higher up than when in Austria for the training camp so altitude is going to play a major part.

"It felt a lot harder in terms of breathing and getting your recovery. It was quite difficult to get your breath back, but we will get used to that and we feel prepared for Saturday.

"Mentally we're prepared, physically we are prepared. Everyone is looking forward to the [opening] game."

England kick off their World Cup campaign against USA on Saturday and may have an advantage over their opponents as Bob Bradley's men have opted not to undertake any altitude training.

Richard Pullen, who advised the FA on England's preparations, told the Guardian: "The Americans have not done any preparation at all. This is so that they could have full-on training sessions and arrive very fit, yet unacclimatised. They have taken a gamble on their fitness being enough to see them through."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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