Defoe - England boys buzzing

Jermain Defoe hailed a great performance throughout the England team after Wednesday's 1-0 win over Slovenia secured a place in the last 16 of the World Cup. Defoe's first-half goal was the difference between Fabio Capello's side and the Slovenians as England set up a meeting with Germany in Bloemfontein on Sunday. "The lads are buzzing - it was a great performance, not just winning the game but a great performance from front to back," Defoe said. "The spirit's great and we're looking forward to it." The Tottenham striker admitted he would rather have avoided the Germans, with a match against Ghana next up for group winners the United States. He added: "It would have been nice to have faced Ghana but, to win a major tournament, you're going to have to beat the best. "But we'll just approach it like any other game." The build-up to the Slovenia game was filled with reports of friction in the England camp following John Terry's controversial press conference. But Defoe said: "Preparation before the game was spot-on. The lads are putting the work in and if you're doing that work on the training pitch then you take that into the game. "The work-rate and the passion were there. "I don't think there were any problems to be honest - obviously when you're not winning games, everyone's low but when you're winning everyone's sharp and happy."

Source: PA