Beckham show fails to deliver (+pics)

Sunday Star Times

Last updated 22:07 06/12/2008

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Photos by Michael Bradley and Lawrence Smith

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You might wonder what the ratepayers of greater Auckland, who fork over a few hundred dollars in rates to the Auckland Regional Council each year, might think about their elected representatives risking that cash on a football game an exhibition match at that.

With tickets retailing at up to $85, ambitious pricing even for sporting occasions that have more than mere profit riding on them, the ARC needed over 19,000 spectators to turn up last night to break even. A turnout of 16,600 was announced, which means someone will be left paying for something.

For those who did come, with three sides near to capacity but the higher-priced Eastern Stand less than half-full, some will have left with the taste of dissatisfaction from the quality of the football, which was patchy, the Galaxy easing to a 3-0 win.

But they did get Beckham, and that's why they were there.

The second coming wasn't like the first. Wellington was agog at Becks last year, packing the Caketin and trying to flog his half-eaten chicken on TradeMe. Auckland took its traditionally reticent approach to sporting stardom, and cut-price ticket deals were needed for fans to turn up.

Some, obviously, were overcome by Beckham-mania, dodging security guards to race to the perimeter fence whenever Beckham approached to take a corner. They gasped when, on the half-hour, Beckham flopped to the turf and gripped his calf muscle.

In the end, he gave them something of a return on their ticket price. He played 80 minutes and was, essentially, best on park. He didn't fancy any rough stuff, although only the great Dutch midfielder Edgar Davids seemed inclined to give him any, and even then Beckham shrugged him off, seconds later regained the ball and hit a wonderful through-ball. But Beckham did run with purpose, showed his range of dead-ball skills and hit some deadly accurate long passes. The rest of the Galaxy must be used to being mere satellites. They played their walk-on roles, each of them looking better than their opponent. Oceania were, however, quite awful.

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The Oceania Football Confederation's general secretary, Tai Nicholas, has floated the idea of a Pacific Islands team, based in Auckland, playing in the A-League. Last night was his petri dish. "Why we embraced this idea was to see if bringing the cream of Pacific Islands players together would work," Nicholas said. Sadly, on this evidence, you'd have to say they would get stuffed every week.

Perhaps it would be hard to expect much more of these players, the obviously-talented best from New Caledonia, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Tahiti and Papua New Guinea.

"Some of these guys have never been on a plane or an escalator before," observes Nicholas. "They are up against one of the richest-paid players in the world. That's ironic ... only football can do that and bring together the guy who gets into a canoe in bare feet to get to Honiara up against Beckham, who can come here by private jet. It's surreal."

Nicholas was probably referring to the Oceania right back Nelson Sale, who grew up in a leaf house in a small village in the Solomon province of Malaita, where they canoed across a lagoon for fresh water. Before the game, Sale, who earns around $300 a week for playing for NZFC club Auckland City, said: "When I first got the call up, I thought: `Am I going to be chasing shadows on the field all day'?"

Yep. Beckham ruthlessly targeted Sale throughout the first half. Playing a deep-lying central midfield role, his first major involvement was a precise long ball to his left winger, Eddie Lewis. Plenty more followed. Almost immediately, Beckham had a 30-yard thundercrack tipped wide by Oceania goalkeeper and former Manchester United team-mate Mark Bosnich. And the Galaxy were ahead after only three minutes when Jovan Kirovski fired past Bosnich.

The balls kept flying toward Lewis, and having fluffed one chance, he took the next one much better, turning Sale inside out and then crossing for Alan Gordon to nod home. Oceania didn't get their first chance until the 26th minute, when Kiwi Jarrod Smith turned and shot. They didn't get a corner until the 35th minute and their best first-half chance came when Davids threw up a late free kick which Steven Old nodded to keeper Josh Saunders.

By then they were 3-0 behind, and the third goal was a travesty. Beckham's corner was met at the far post by centreback Brandon McDonald who, entirely unmarked, headed home.

In the dressing room at halftime, Bosnich did his nut, and didn't come out for the second, replaced by All Whites No3 goalkeeper Jacob Spoonley. Of the other Oceania "names", Christian Karembeu, reportedly suffering a knee problem, lumbered heavily around the midfield for 16 minutes before he was substituted. Davids also looked unfit, but `The Pitbull' seemed much more willing to get stuck in, belting Galaxy left back Mike Randolph early in the second half, then sparking a confrontation which saw Oceania's David Muta and Galaxy's Josh Tudela booked.

Tudela left early, sent off for a second bookable offence by referee Mike Hester. It was the only real action of a second half that petered out in a tide of substitutions. For 85 bucks, you expect full value but with 10 minutes to go, even Beckham departed, with a cuddle from Davids, and applause from the crowd that was a touch generous for an exercise which reeked of avarice.

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Trent #40 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

It wasn;t Auckland the city itself, that posted a dismall turnout at the game, it was the people of Auckland. I'm an aucklander myself and I know that the week before the game, noone was itnerested.

Hello! this is David Beckham, possibly the biggest sports star and celebrity ont he planet at the moment. Even if you're not into football, he's still one of the highest classed celebs on the planet at the moment. Girls love him, football fans love his football, and he's a celeb! what more do you need to pull a mint crowd. and yes maybe the ARC failed to market his arrival properly, I didnt even know he was coming til he arrived, and even then, trying to find out where he would be etc to get his signature and fotos was a mission.

But I think the key downfall was the people fo auckland. So many people sounded keen or didnt want to go but for no reason, when they should have decided to have a life and make te most of having a high class celeb in their city. maybe the ticket prices had a bit to do with it too, but in europe ppl pay hundreds to get a ticket to see Beckham( altho there are also other quality players to watch at the same time) and yet they couldnt sell out even the cheapest tickets at $85 for two.

For those ppl who are Beckham fans like myself, it was great having him here, meeting my idol of 10 years in person was unexplainable, the whole time he was here there was a buzz around the city, it was just a shame that not many ppl got behind the opportunity.

Vin Rogue #39 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

The article is good. But I hate the part that portrays Solomon Islander, Nelson Sale, as his first time in your place or a lift. This is shameful especially from another Solomon Islander living in Europe. Sale had been travelling and playing in NZ for sometime. Please stop sensationalising statements without facts. You only ridicule us -- painintg a naive picture of Solomon Islanders. We do have lifts in our country, we do fly on planes and we do eat the same food you eat. The difference is we love footabll than any country in the Oceania. Had the match was played in Honiara you would would not see any empty seats regardless of the fees. Enough of portaying islanders as bunch of bushmen who have never seen to the outside world. In the end you can't surive in our harsh conditions--but I can stand your weather and your fancy world, if there is any. Stop embarrasing us because there are many Solomon Islanders or Pacific Islanders who are better than you.

Kiwa #38 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Wasn't planning on watching the game but ended up doing so anyway. Not a 'Beckhamite' but appreciated his passing game as well as the save that Bosnich had to make from Beckhams bullet in the first half. Didn't know who was going to be in the Oceania team (feel this was a marketing oppotunity missed actually) but enjoyed the tenacity and skill of Edgar Davids who battled to the end. Give that man an A-league contract with the Phoenix - they need someone with his attitude and high expectations - if they can afford him that is.

Chris #37 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Playing the game in Wellington = Full stadium, Lots of cash, and a weekend long city wide party. Any lessons learned yet? Did anyone in Auckland actually know the game was being played?

PJ #36 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

It failed because the ticket prices were crazy! add to that that the opposition that was put together was so substandard it was always going to be one-sided.

As for Wellington being the heart of "soccer" (It's football!) - The Nix get 5-6K - 'bout the same as the Kingz...The top clubs are all Auckland based - Waitakere and Auckland Central (for the boys) Lynn Avon, Three kings, Western Springs, and even Glenfield Rovers is probably better than Seatoun - who'd be the closest out-of Auckland contenders (for the girls). I think the way the U17 women's world cup went off proves that there's nothing wrong with Aucklanders (ditto for the U17 Boys world cup 2 years ago)- Just the poor planning of the ARC.

Dave #35 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

The reason the 7's get a crowd is boosted by the fact so many from the rest of country go along. If it was retricted to Wellingtonians, there is no way it would sell out. This Beckham thing is just another excuse for small minded losers to have a crack at Auckland as they have nothing better to do. Noone in the country can point the finger at Auckland regarding crowds. There have been small turnouts for all Super 14 franchaises, plus Air New Zealand Cup games. At least Eden Park can sell out an All Black test, no matter who the opposition is. That can't be said for Chch and Wgtn.

Tom #34 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Ticket prices: $85 - $160.

- Far too expensive for the current economic climate, especially considering it is nearly Christmas.

- Also Beckham came a year ago - many Aucklanders (including myself) travelled to Wellington to see him, and the nix play. That was a great weekend, but why would we go and see him again, paying over-the-top ticket prices, against are Oceania team thrown together at the last inute and clearly lacking in cohesion.

- This was the ARC trying to make a buck - I don't feel bad in not going as NZ Soccer wouldnt have seen any profits had their been any.

- So lastly - stop bagging Aucklanders about this, actually maybe bag our council - the organisation (or at least the price given the economic times) wasn't there. Do the nix get good home crowds? The Kingz use to get a solid 5000, and that was the NSL.

ps. watched the game on sky - Beckham is still quality.

Dave #33 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

I have to say it was GREAT to see one touch football played with class. With or without Beckham, LA Galaxy were coasting through most of the game simply by moving the ball around with rarely more than one or two touches per player. You KNOW you'll never see an NZ team play like that! The powers that be are too busy looking for fancy juggling on the paddock, rather than the guys who make that one touch and move. Well done Cole Peverley. Nice 2nd half man!

Kam #32 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Auckland is pathetic when it comes to supporting sports events, another reason the RWC 2011 should be based outside of the 'city of fails'!!!

Bernard #31 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

The mistake was to field a team called Oceania that had no background, no performance standard, no one knew who they were. I enjoyed watching the Galaxy perform and the magic of Beckham was magmificent. The marketing people stuffed it up not Beckham.

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