Cape Town - England striker Wayne Rooney apologized on Saturday to England fans after criticizing them for jeering the team following the 0-0 Soccer World Cup draw with Algeria.

Rooney shouted into a TV camera as he left the field in Cape Town on Friday: "It's nice to see your own fans booing you."

The Manchester United forward blamed his comments on his frustration at England's second successive drab draw in South Africa.

Rooney failed to score against the United States in the Group C opener, having also failed to hit the net in four matches at the last World Cup four years ago.

"I am as passionate about the England team as anyone," Rooney said in a statement. "Last night, on reflection I said things in the heat of the moment that came out of frustration of both our performance and the result. ... For my part I apologize for any offense caused by my actions at the end of the game."

England now has to beat Slovenia in the final Group C match to advance to the next round.

"The most important thing now is to regroup be positive and work towards winning the game on Wednesday," Rooney said. "To do this the players will need the support of the fans more than ever."

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