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Wayne Rooney is confident that England will qualify for the 2010 World Cup despite a disappointing performance against the Czech Republic at Wembley last night. The home team needed a late goal from Joe Cole to salvage a 2-2 draw, but the Manchester United forward believes it was the ideal preparation for the demanding qualifying match against the Croatia in Zagreb on September 10.

"In the second half we could have done a lot better but it was still a decent result for us," Rooney said. "We are still building and looking to get better for the qualifiers. We have got a game before Croatia against Andorra and it is important we build on our previous games and get the points there.

"All the players were really disappointed with not qualifying for the European Championships. It really hurt not to be playing there this summer. But we will give 110 per cent to try and qualify for the World Cup and we needed that sort of test against the Czechs going into the qualifiers. We needed a tough game and I think we got it. They were really physical and well organised.

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"There is more to come [from us] but we are always confident we can beat any team if we play at our best and we feel we can get it right in those games ahead."

Rooney played as a second striker behind Jermain Defoe and was content to get another game under his belt after missing two weeks of pre-season preparation with a virus. "I had a lot of touches [in the] first half. Maybe I could have done more with the distribution of the ball and had a few more chances. But I am happy. It is another game for me. I missed a few games pre-season so it will help with my fitness as well."

Defoe insists that England will have shaken off their early season rust by the time they face Croatia. "What people have got to realise as well is it is the early days of the season," he said. "The lads are still getting fit and sharp.

"Everyone needs to improve. We want to win every game. As the other games come along, I am sure the lads will be a lot fitter and a lot sharper so we shouldn't have a problem.

"The manager said it was another step forward. We know we have to improve. We are going to improve, no doubt about that. I keep saying it is early in the season. We have played only one league game. The fans don't have to be worried. We have got good spirit and everything will be okay."