Beckham lures Australians to football

SYDNEY: All 80,000 tickets for the exhibition match between David Beckham's LA Galaxy and Sydney FC have been sold despite football being a minority sport in Australia, the host club said Tuesday.

Dutchman Ruud Gullit -- who is making his debut as Galaxy coach -- promised that the world's most famous footballer would play in the friendly at Sydney's Olympic Stadium.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder has had injuries that limited his appearances in the US-based Major League Soccer to just five matches.

Beckham, who flew from London to Sydney in a private jet, proved his celebrity drawing power by attracting Australia's A-list to engagements in his honour.

"I never actually realised how big a fan base that I had over here," Beckham said. "It's been remarkable, I must admit, since I arrived, and even since the game was announced, the reaction that we've had not just from the media but the fans."