Author Topic: David Beckham against Philippine Azkals  (Read 608 times)

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David Beckham against Philippine Azkals
« on: December 07, 2011, 07:55:22 AM »
By Bohol Chronicle

David Beckham and the stars of the Major League Soccer champions Los Angeles Galaxy put on a fine football show last night, defeating the Philippine national football team, 6-1, at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium .

Beckham looked very comfortable at the Rizal pitch, blasting a halfcourt shot barely 15 minutes into the match to test Azkals goalkeeper Edward Sacapano. Five minutes later, the veteran English campaigner opened the scoring with a sweet lob from outside the box that hit the back of the net.

Also sharing the spotlight were Irish star Robbie Keane, who scored a goal, and American legend Landon Donovan, who assisted on two other points for the Los Angeles side, which dominated the match despite the inspired effort of the Azkals.

The Philippine team actually made a game of it at the start, with Filipino-German Manny Ott missing a couple of chances early in the match. The Azkals kept pouncing on the counterattack even after Beckham's goal, but were burned by a Mike Magee score in the 38th minute off a nifty pass from Landon Donovan.

Still, the Azkals kept on fighting, getting on board after an excellent finish by Phil Younghusband against AJ DeLaGarza in the 41st minute, cutting the Galaxy lead to just 2-1 at halftime. At the break, the Philippine side was able to get eight shots at goal, compared to just six for Los Angeles.

But Beckham and company snuffed out all the Azkals' hopes shortly after resumption of play. A corner kick by Beckham was headed back by Todd Dunivant, setting up Keane's goal at the 47th minute. The Galaxy then dominated possession of the ball, with Adam Cristman scoring twice — in the 62nd minute off another Donovan assist, and at the 87th minute off a defensive breakdown by the Azkals. Los Angeles veteran Gregg Berhalter also scored, on a penalty kick in the 81st minute.

But the evening clearly belonged to Beckham, who was cheered by the raucous crowd each time he was in possession of the ball. The global football icon treated Filipino fans to a display of superb technique and preternatural instincts, thrilling the audience with pinpoint passes and trademark curling kicks.

Beckham came out in the 75th minute to a wild ovation and paid respects to Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao, who came into the venue midway through the game.

“I saw him arrive, and I'm a huge fan of his, so it's a big thing,” said Beckham of Pacquiao.

The match, meanwhile, capped a remarkable year for the Philippine football team, which bolted to national consciousness after a Cinderella run in last year's AFF Suzuki Cup. The Azkals followed up that feat by qualifying for a berth in the AFC Challenge Cup slated next year.

Donovan, meanwhile, was impressed by the warm reception of the fans. He compared the burgeoning love for the sport with the experience of the United States a decade ago.

“Like us, ten or fifteen years ago, it's a country that's beginning to love football,” he said.

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