Beckham-led Galaxy to play vs Azkals

Big football names like David Beckham and Landon Donovan, along with the rest of football club Los Angeles Galaxy are coming to Manila this December.

The Galaxy, after wrapping up their Major League Soccer campaign, will go head-to-head with the Philippine national football squad in an international friendly on Dec. 3. at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

President of LA Galaxy’s business operations Thomas Payne assured that the full line up, including Irish striker Robbie Keane, will be present to put on a show.

“We understand what this is about. We understand that we have popular players. And they will be on the Tour,” said Payne.

“It comes in a really good time for us. Barring any kind of injury, the whole team is here. They know when they sign on, but they’re going to go on a post season tour,” added Payne, who arrived in the Philippines just this morning just to take a tour of the city.

National team manager Dan Palami, though, believes that the Galaxy will feel the full brunt of the Akzals attack in the pitch.

“The Azkals will play as if we have to win the game,” said Palami in a press conference Tuesday at the Makati Shangrila.

Palami said that he has sent out invitations to the players based abroad, and among those who have responded are Fil-Icelandic Ray Jonsson, Fil-British goal keeper Neil Etheridge, and Fil-Dutch Dennis Cagara and Fil-Danish Jerry Lucena.

“Some of the players we have in Europe have played against high profile players, so they’re used to this,” added Palami.

It has been a year since the Azkals’ unprecedented run in the AFF Suzuki ywhich resurrected football in the country—and the event is only a fitting way to end the a fruitful year.

“To end the year with the big bang—we thought that win over Nepal was enough. But this is an early Christmas bonus. It will be good for the Azkals and the Philippine football in general,” shared Palami.

Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta agreed saying this an early Christmas gift for the Philippine football fans. /inquirer with reports from Mars G. Alison