Beckham expects tough, rugged game

Source | MB | MANILA, Philippines — Phil Younghusband and David Beckham chatted briefly after the press conference Thursday at the Shangrila Hotel in Makati.

What they talked about, nobody knows. What is certain is that the once-in-a-lifetime match between the Philippine Azkals and the LA Galaxy is upon us.

With the Conway's Bar of the five-star hotel filled with reporters, photographers and even some giggling fans, players from both sides are looking to put on a show when the so-called Dream Cup unfolds Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

For Beckham, who made a name for himself with stints with Manchester United, Real Madrid and the Galaxy while married to Victoria or Posh Spice of Spice Girls fame, he expects the same rugged match they endured on Wednesday in Jakarta.

"(Wednesday) was a very difficult game," said Beckham, who played 84 minutes in the Galaxy's 1-0 win over the Indonesian selection team at the cavernous Bung Karno Stadium.

"There's a lot of talented players here and we expect that the game (tomorrow) will be the same (as in Indonesia)," added Beckham.

Younghusband, who himself has been the face of local football's rise to stardom, said they're looking forward to give the 2011 MLS Cup champions a run for their money.

"I don't think there's pressure for us to play against the Galaxy and it's important for us to play our game," the Fil-Briton said. "Obviously the Galaxy are a team with a high standard of play and we’ll have a more defensive mindset and use our speed to our advantage."

The Galaxy are coached by Bruce Arena and also led by striker Landon Donovan, America's top player. Both were instrumental in America's rise to competitiveness in the world stage. For his part, Arena believes that the Philippines can be successful, too.

"Well what I would say is be proud of playing for the National team. If you have the support of the people, a lot of good things can happen," said Arena, a former US national team mentor.

"I was with the US team for many years and we chased the dream," said Arena. "We now have qualified for the World Cup on a regular basis and we have grown from a small country in global football to a big country in the sport."

Many are expecting a frenzy atmosphere tomorrow when the Galaxy become the first US professional soccer club to play at the age-old stadium since the NASL's Dallas Tornado met a Manila Chinese squad and the RP team in January 1968.

While many have been irked with the ticket prices, which ranged from the cheapest of P2,000 to the most expensive at P15,500, organizers are targeting to at least 80 percent of the tickets be sold by opening kick off.

Calling it an "uphill climb to sell tickets", head organizer Jinx Macabenta said that there has been a big spike of sales since Monday.

By JONAS TERRADO

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