Beckham warns Swiss: We’ll hit them hard

Captain David Beckham says England will be pounding Switzerland right from kickoff in Thursday’s Euro 2004 clash as they vent their frustration following the agonising defeat by France. England’s 2-1 injury-time loss to the European champions on Sunday has left them in desperate need of three points as they try to qualify from Group B.

“From the word go, we’re going to try and hit them as hard as we can,” Beckham told a news conference on Tuesday. “Obviously, there will still be frustration from the other night for our team and with them drawing (0-0 with Croatia), they’ll be looking to come forward.

“We are definitely looking forward to playing this game… and to attacking them as soon as the whistle goes.” Beckham said England would treat the Swiss as if they were European champions in Coimbra, aware that defeat would make it very difficult for them to progress in the tournament. “We’re going into this game thinking we’re playing the French again,” said the midfielder. “We’re not taking lightly any team we come up against,’’ he said. (Reuters)