Los Angeles Galaxy's midfielder David Beckham gives direction to Indonesian children during a soccer coaching clinic at Gelora Bung Karno stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia, Tuesday. AP
JAKARTA, Indonesia—David Beckham said Indonesia should be proud of its all star team after the Los Angeles Galaxy’s 1-0 win, saying they were fast on their feet and knew the game well.
The English midfielder, who brought down Indonesian striker Andik Vermansyah while going for the ball early in the match, later apologized by swapping jerseys.
“I’m going to frame this!” Vermansyah said with a huge smile. “It was an honor to play with him.”
More than 30,000 spectators packed into Jakarta’s 80,000-seat Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Wednesday for the first friendly of the Major League Soccer champion’s Asian tour.
Robbie Keane scored in the 14th minute to give Galaxy its win over the Indonesian team, taking a short pass from Adam Cristman and slotting a right-footed shot into the bottom corner of the net.
“They’re very quick and know how to play the game,” Beckham said, adding that he swapped shirts with Andik because he “felt bad for kicking him.”
The Galaxy will next play the Philippines national team in Manila on December 3, followed by Australian club Melbourne Victory three days later.