Beckham lifts Galaxy gloom
2007-11-27 14:40
Sydney - David Beckham lit up the Olympic Stadium with a stunning free kick but failed to inspire his LA Galaxy teammates in a 5-3 friendly loss to Sydney FC on Tuesday.
The former England captain brought a crowd of over 80 000 to their feet just before halftime when he curled in a trademark
strike from 25m but it was a rare moment of joy for Galaxy
who struggled in coach Ruud Gullit's first game in charge.
The 32-year-old Beckham had earlier suffered an ankle injury
and watched helplessly as his team gave away three early goals
to hand their hosts a 3-0 lead, striker Alex Brosque scoring
twice.
Beckham, playing in a deep-lying midfield role, hobbled on
in obvious discomfort but he took his chance of glory two
minutes before the interval.
Despairing dive
Galaxy were awarded a free kick in a central position 25m from goal and, as he has so many times before, Beckham carefully placed the ball on the turf.
He stepped up to whip the ball over the Sydney wall and it
fizzed into the top corner of the net beyond the despairing dive
of goalkeeper Clint Bolton.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder
raised both arms in the air to celebrate before walking slowly
back to the centre circle.
"It was nice to get the free kick, I practise them a lot and
I was obviously happy to score," Beckham told the crowd. "We've
enjoyed the game and I've had a great time in Australia."
Galaxy pulled another goal back soon after the interval
through striker Edson Buddle but Sydney, inspired by Brazilian
Juninho, restored their two-goal cushion when Robbie Middleby
tapped into an empty net.
Beckham was the victim of a couple of strong challenges and
he was booked in the 64th minute for retaliating with a late
tackle on Middleby before Galaxy defender Kevin Harmse was sent
off as tempers flared.
Beckham tried to inject urgency with a few ambitious passes
and both teams claimed late goals, Sydney defender Iain Fyfe
bundling the ball home from close range and US international
Landon Donovan completing the scoring in the dying seconds.