David Beckham scores the first goal for the LA Galaxy against the Philippine Azkals in their friendly match Saturday, Dec. 2, 2011, at the Rizal Stadium in Manila. The Galaxy won, 6-1. RAFFY LERMA/INQUIRER
MANILA, Philippines – International football star David Beckham, on possibly his last game with the Los Angeles Galaxy, kickstarted a scoring barrage by the Galaxy in a 6-1 victory over the Philippine Azkals Saturday.
Greg Berhalter and Adam Cristman capped Los Angeles’ domination with two more goals in the last 10 minutes.
Berhalter scored on a penalty kick in the 81st minute and Cristmas followed up with his second goal of the night just after five minutes before a sizeable crowd at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.
The English football sensation, whose contract with Galaxy has expired, struck with a curling effort in the 20th minute, finding the right top corner of the goal.
Captains David Beckham of LA Galaxy and Chieffy Caligdong of the Philippine Azkals shake hands before their game at the Rizal Stadium in Manila Saturday, Dec. 2, 2011. RAFFY LERMA/INQUIRER
Beckham, who was reported to have been contractually-obliged to play for at least 45 minutes, played on for 27 more minutes in the second half.
In a television interview after game, Beckham was asked about his extra minutes in the second half to which he admitted that he wanted to play again when saw boxing icon Manny Pacquiao arrive in the stadium because he was such a huge fan of the Filipino great.
After finally being taken out of the game, TV cameras showed Beckham approach Pacquiao and hand him his jersey before they both walked out of the stadium.
Phil Younghusband scores what would be the lone goal for the Philippine Azkals against the LA Galaxy in their friendly match Saturday, Dec. 2, 2011, at the Rizal Stadium in Manila. The Galaxy won, 6-1. AUGUST DELA CRUZ/INQUIRER
Striker Mike Magee latched onto a pass from Landon Donovan, America’s leading goal scorer, in the 38th minute while Keane, Ireland’s all-time scorer, also delivered just a minute into the second half.
The Philippines’ lone goal came from Phil Younghusband, who pulled one back home in the 40th minute with a left-footed strike.
Younghusband had countless of misses, including one in the 56th minute which hit the crossbar.