Capello 'reads the riot act' during England's unconvincing win against Mexico

London, May 25 (ANI): England coach Fabio Capello had to pull up his players during half time as the Three Lions were unconvincing in their match against Mexico with just 18 days to go before their opening World Cup encounter.

"I had to speak to the players at half-time. We have to press more. Not all the teams we play against will play like Mexico did, this was a different style," Capello said.

"But for me it's always very important to press the ball and win it back quickly," The Sun quoted Capello, as saying.

He admitted his team lacked aggression in the first half and he had to lose his cool in the dressing room.

"I spoke with the players and said what they had to do. Despite our first training period in Austria, where we worked really hard for two days, we weren't fresh.

"But we are focused on the first game in the World Cup against the USA. I am not concerned by tonight. It was really important to know where we are now, physically and mentally after a long season," Capello said.

"We have time to recover a lot of the spirit of the team. When we play counter-attacking, we are really dangerous. But I don't just want to play on the counter. I want more," he added.

Steven Gerrard confirmed Capello had read the riot act at half time, but said it was what the players needed.

"The manager made his feelings known at half-time that we were not getting tight enough. We know we have to do better - and we will," he said. (ANI)