The one man show David Beckham, came to Melbourne and delivered. Down on the 80,000 who turned out to the Sydney Olympic stadium 4 years ago when Beckham and Galaxy last toured Australia, 34,608 turned out to join in on the Beckhmania. After a healthy reception at Visy Park yesterday, and media appearances at the children's hospital and a clinic with school kids it was down to business. With mixed performances against A League teams in the past, the Major League Soccer Champions were not going to take the friendly lightly. Coach Bruce Arena, clearly talking tough in the lead up, stating that there would be no reason why his team would not go all out for a win, before they break for 6 weeks. With Melbourne missing prized recruit Harry kewell unavailable due to hamstring problems, Beckham clearly was the crowd pleaser, earning generous applause every time he stepped near the football and with the expectations of a transfer to Europe during the January transfer window, an opportunity beckoned to show interested clubs that his career is far from finished. It was Carlos Hernandez though for Melbourne continuing on from his wonderful A league form opening up the scoring in the 16th minute, with a left footed strike from just inside the penalty area finding the back of the net. The Costa Rican international played apart in the Victory's second 6 minutes later, as he assisted Isak Cernak.
Traditionally Friendly matches between clubs can be arduous affairs, though this was an exception as Beckham lived up to the hype so many fans were waiting to witness, with crisp passing, and wonderful ball control. Both teams playing out the encounter with an intensity that usually is not evident in games such as these in the past. The first half was not all Melbourne Victory, with the Galaxy awarded a penalty from an errant handball, Robbie Keane cooly slotting the spot kick home on the stroke of half time. Keane would strike again in the second half locking the game up at 2 -2 and sending the friendly into an unusual penalty shoot out to decide the result, With the Galaxy winning 4-3.
16th Minute - Melbourne Victory Goal - Carlos Hernandez
22nd Minute - Melbourne Victory Goal - Isaka Cernak
41st Minute - LA Galaxy Goal - Robbie Keane
50th Minute - LA Galaxy Goal - Robbie Keane
Traditionally Friendly matches between clubs can be arduous affairs, though this was an exception as Beckham lived up to the hype so many fans were waiting to witness, with crisp passing, and wonderful ball control. Both teams playing out the encounter with an intensity that usually is not evident in games such as these in the past. The first half was not all Melbourne Victory, with the Galaxy awarded a penalty from an errant handball, Robbie Keane cooly slotting the spot kick home on the stroke of half time. Keane would strike again in the second half locking the game up at 2 -2 and sending the friendly into an unusual penalty shoot out to decide the result, With the Galaxy winning 4-3.
16th Minute - Melbourne Victory Goal - Carlos Hernandez
22nd Minute - Melbourne Victory Goal - Isaka Cernak
41st Minute - LA Galaxy Goal - Robbie Keane
50th Minute - LA Galaxy Goal - Robbie Keane
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| photo: courtesy of Fairfax |
