Video: David Beckham & the LA Galaxy Arrive in New Zealand
David Beckham and his cohorts from MLS underachievers of the year – the LA Galaxy – arrived in New Zealand Wednesday for this weekend’s friendly with the Oceania All Stars (who oddly includes Dutch legend Edgar Davids).
They touched down in New Zealand at 5:30 a.m. local time. Beckham looked travel weary, standing quietly among teammates as a group of indigenous Maori performed a traditional welcoming ceremony. Some 100 Beckheads (or possibly LA Galaxy fans) were present.
Anticipation of Beckham’s second coming has been more subdued than his last. Ticket sales for Saturday’s match have been slow. Local media reported around 15,000 tickets had recently been sold at a stadium which holds 32,000.
In December 2007, the Galaxy travelled to Wellington as part of a two-match tour of Australia and New Zealand. After losing 5-3 to Sydney FC, the Galaxy travelled to New Zealand where they held a training session in front of more than 15,000 school children. One day later, a crowd of 31,853 was on hand to see the Galaxy defeat the Wellington Phoenix 4-1 behind goals from Clint Mathis, Landon Donovan, Carlos Pavon and David Beckham.
In addition to Edgar Davids, the Oceania team to play the Galaxy will include former Manchester United goalkeeper Mark Bosnich and former French international Christian Karembeu, present and former New Zealand All Whites Ivan Vicelich, Jacob Spoonley, Steven Old and Jarrod Smith.
Also selected are Solomon Island internationals Alick Maemae, Judd Molea, Henry Faarodo and Nelson Sale.
From the Vanuatu national team comes captain Fedy Vava, Suele Soromon and Francois Sakama and New Caledonia is represented by Benjamin Longue and Pierre Wajoka.
Tahitian national Raimana Lee Fung Kuee and David Muta, the Papua New Guinea under-23 captain, make up the squad
The Oceania All Stars will be coached by former Football Federation Australia national instructor coach Jim Selby and former All Whites international and Auckland City FC coach, Colin Tuaa.
Match Logistics
Cost: Adults: from $85 – $160, Children $45 plus booking fees.
Date: Sat 06 Dec 08, 7:30 pm
Venue: Supertop Mt Smart Stadium, Beasley Ave, Penrose, Auckland
US TV: Fox Soccer Channel, 1:30 am ET
Well it was a warm welcome for their hero