LA Galaxy win over Azkals, 6-1

Saturday, December 3, 2011

MANILA (Updated) -- True to his promise the last time, global football superstar David Beckham meant business on Saturday night as he led the visiting Los Angeles (LA) Galaxy in frustrating the Philippine national team Azkals in a friendly match, 6-1.

Beckham, who seemed composed in 75 minutes of play, fired the opening salvo in the 20th minute when he bent the ball that moved past Filipino goalkeeper Eduard Sacapano.

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Cheers erupted in the jam-packed Rizal Memorial Stadium after Beckham’s shot as Mike Magee made a follow up in the 38th minute through a quick pass from Galaxy skipper Landon Donovan.

The Azkals had several attempts through Manuel Ott but with the clock winding down, striker Phil Younghusband took charge and escaped AJ DeLaGarza in the 41st minute, cutting the lead to 2-1 in the first half.

This could have provided the team a psychological boost going into the second half. However, the Americans fought back, starting off with Robbie Keane’s offensive in the 47th minute.

With the Galaxy in cruise control, Adam Cristman slid two goals in the 62nd minute and 87th minute as the battle-weary Azkals surrendered to the exploits of the visitors.

Friendly match between the Los Angeles Galaxy and the Philippine Azkals at the Rizal Memorial Stadium Saturday night. (Virgil Lopez)

Gregg Berhalter, meanwhile, knocked in the fifth goal in the 81st minute, courtesy of a penalty kick.

Short of calling it a sub-par performance, Azkals’ German coach Michael Weiss said the experience taught them to sharpen their concentration skills.

It was an incomplete line-up that faced the Galaxy after Stephan Schrock, Jerry Lucena, Dennis Cagara, Paul Mulders and goalkeeper Neil Etheridge begged off to play due to club commitments in Europe.

“If we go up against the LA Galaxy and if you don’t pay attention, you will be punished heavily. This is the price to pay,” Weiss said.

Despite the loss, the Azkals still heaped praises from Galaxy coach Bruce Arena, who expressed his intention to bring the team
back in the near future.

“It takes many years to develop a strong national team; you need to have good support and good fan base. With a hardwork and dedication they can make it to the World Cup. My advice for the Philippines is work hard and chase the dream,” Arena said.

Arena, who steered the American national team to a quarterfinal finish in the 2002 World Cup, also took notice the efforts of Phil, Angel Guirado, and veteran wingman Chieffy Caligdong.

No crowd estimate has been released yet by event promoter Fuelcels Inc. but thousands of fans had to pay expensive tickets, ranging from P2,060 to P15,965, just to see Beckham and company in person.

Spotted in the venue were politicians and celebrities led by Phil’s girlfriend Angel Locsin, Maxene Magalona, actress Dawn Zulueta and husband Davao del Sur Representative Antonio Lagdameo, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao.

Beckham even went out of the way to meet the Sarangani congressman, whom he admired for the goodness of his character.

“I’m a huge fan,” he said.

Beckham, who plays midfield for his team in the Major League Soccer (MLS), is contractually obliged to see action for at least 45 minutes.

Prior to their Manila visit, the Galaxy survived the gritty Indonesian selection before 20,000 spectators at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, 1-0.

The team already made it two in a row in their Asian tour, which will end in Australia next week. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)