David Beckham wows Wellington
Update - Here's a radio interview David Beckham did on Friday.
(Source) Becks departed New Zealand Sunday afternoon local time, Saturday evening US PT, heading to Vancouver Canada to meet up with his family. It is reported that he has been suffering from bronchitis and that is the explanation for him rubbing his chest and grimacing during last night's game. Get well soon Becks!
The LA Galaxy beat the Wellington Phoenix 4-1 but none of the local supporters minded a bit. David Beckham had a hand in all of the Galaxy's goals and scored the fourth from the penalty spot. You can watch his goal above and a few other quick highlights (apologies for the poor quality). You can watch a replay of the full match on the TVNZ site. Just follow the 'Watch David Beckham in Wellington' video link. You may need windows media player.
You can also watch all the goals in the clip below and see how influential Becks was in the LA Galaxy win!
At the end of the game the crowd gave Becks a standing ovation and the sound level definitely went up a few decibels when Becks took off his shirt!
Becks spoke to the media and said - on the game: "It was okay. We played the ball around well and enjoyed it." - on his goal from the penalty spot: "I was surprised. I'm not the penalty taker but Landon (Donovan) told me to have it and I was happy to." - on the tour Down Under: "On the footballing front I think there's good things to take from the last game in Sydney and obviously we won the game tonight, so it's good to end our season now completely on a win. "But (there's) still some hard work to do with the team and we look forward to that in February."
The first of the photos are in the gallery and there is a match report online here.
posted by rpm at 5:08 AM
16 Comments:
So Anna...I hear there was a female streaker...anything you want to tell us? Thanks for the video and photos
6:54 AM
lol sprung!! NOT!! :) I don't think there is enough booze in all the world to make me do that - I don't understand why people do it lol
7:57 AM
Ciao to everybody!. David absolutely fantastic........! Happy to him.Thanks for the video and photo.Good week end to everyone! Loredana, Samuele, Gabriel
8:39 AM
Thanks Anna! Good choice of song for the first video lmao :-)
9:57 AM
becks looks a bit thin actually. i think the travel and activities could be taking a toll on him...
1:27 PM
Thanks for these. It was a very entertaining game. Any news on whatever niggling chest injury he seemed to be experiencing? Looked like it got a bit worse as the match wore on. I thought it was from the awkward tackle about midway (think it was midway...) through the first half, maybe he twisted his upper torso. Hopefully nothing a massage and a good night's rest haven't cured.
2:18 PM
Glad David had a great game!! He and Landon are working well together! Thanks for the updates =)
4:18 PM
a female streaker? lol
Tiette
4:21 PM
hhaha..streaker or not, it's becks they came to see, and it's becks they got to see ;)
superb game for him and I bet for you too, Anna. You've seen it all, the freekick, the penalty, the assists..(and maybe the streaker =P)
Hopefully LA Galaxy's gonna do great nxt season under a new coach and one great captain..GO BECKS! GO LA!
5:37 PM
I just read about Becks having bronchitis. It's so common for people to get sick once a long period of stress is at end. This is where some California sunshine might come in handy. Good grief that body needs some R&R!
(People say he had all that injury time off, but we all know how hard he works in recovery so that certainly doesn't count as rest, and it certainly didn't provide a break from stress.)
9:26 PM
Yes, as much as I enjoyed getting to see him play in person it was very clear that he was under enormous pressure. He is the reason an extra 65,000 people and an extra 20,000 people turned out to see soccer matches in Sydney and Wellington respectively, those people came to see 1 man - in fact the vast majority of those who don't usually attend could not have named a single other player on the pitch.
In the past at Manchester United and Real Madrid he was a big draw and the biggest star but not the only star. The clubs were well known and have big global fanbases and players like Zidane, Casillas, Ronaldo etc may have smaller fanbases than Becks but nevertheless they do have a substantial number of fans around the world and are big names in their own right. I felt that Becks on this tour really had to bear all the burden of all the expectations and the commercial imperatives alone. I think the fact the contracts contain clauses to stipulate how long he must play - says it all. So you get the situation where he is clearly tired, had taken a knock in Sydney, is not feeling well but still feels a strong sense of duty to play, to give the people there moneys worth, a full game - I admire the fact he battles on but I hope it doesn't take a toll and I am really glad he's on holiday now :)
3:56 AM
You describe the situation exactly, Anna. One related concern, you will have noticed over the years that Becks loses his temper or is involved in more reckless tackles (that put him at risk) when a) he is exhausted, b) his team is losing without putting up a valiant effort, c) his team plays poorly.
Aware as he is of the Galaxy's player limitations, and much as he says that he knows raising the level of play will be a slow process, these inclinations are not easy to change after a career-long mindset.
For everything you've said, as well as this, he needs a better team around him. I'll leave off the discussion about putting a team on exhibition in the shape the Galaxy is in has to be embarrassing to fans and players (it is to me) for another time.
For now, I've informed the fam of a possible move to NZ! Look out for us...couldn't have enjoyed our "virtual visit" down under more!! Brilliant hosts, and coverage, all around. Thanks so much for helping bring us along.
10:32 AM
Thanks for the update on that Diane. I'm glad for his holiday as well. I'm impressed he played the full 90 and did so with such heart and dedication with a breathing-related illness. I've got bronchitis now and I jog daily, but can only manage 35 minutes before I have to stop and do a less intense exercise (or, worst case, stop altogether and take a breathing treatment). I'd have been flat on my back in the middle of the pitch by the end of the first half in Beckham's situation. Testament to his fitness, his will, and his sense of responsibility. Good on him, hope he feels better soon. (And allows himself the rest to feel better soon.)
The pressure is definitely clear, but I think he's handling it with utmost grace. It'd be easy to be cranky what with the spotlight, injury, sickness, etc...he never loses his cool or forgets how much he's loved. There are footballers I admire for their talent. Putting aside that I think he's one of the finest footballers in the world, and will go down in the annals as such, what clinched my adoration way back when was his class and kindness.
10:42 AM
Thanks for all the videos, anna. That "I'm too Sexy" bit had me laughed out loud! haha
3:44 AM
Diane, you'd be very welcome although you might find it kind of quiet compared to what you are used too :)
4:35 AM
All the better...must pack bags...
4:39 AM
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