David Beckham pressed his claims for an England recall with an impressive individual performance as LA Galaxy crashed on penalties to a South China invitational.
Midfielder presses his claim for an England recall after a brilliant performance
HONG KONG: David Beckham pressed his claims for an England recall with an impressive individual performance as LA Galaxy crashed on penalties to a South China invitational here on Sunday.
Beckham slotted a last-gasp spot-kick to level the match 2-2 and converted again during the shoot-out, but could not prevent Galaxy from slumping 5-4 in their final Asian tour match.
Beckham has one more chance to convince England coach Fabio Capello, a pre-season match in Dallas next week, before the March 26 friendly against France when he is hoping to win his 100th cap.
“Of course it’s frustrating, but at least we’re making chances and we knew we’ve got the quality to put them away,” he said. “When you get so many chances, you want to take them.”
Beckham showed no effects from a minor injury picked up in Shanghai as he lasted the full 90 minutes without mishap, despite being sent sprawling by a clumsy challenge late on. “I’m not injured,” he said. “I took another knock on my thigh that I got kicked on before but it’s not a problem.”
In a dominant first-half display, he provided chance after chance from the right only to hold his head in frustration as Greg Vanney glanced one of his trademark crosses wide on 20 minutes.
Striker Carlos Ruiz and Peter Vagenas also spurned opportunities provided by the former England captain, who had an eventful opening period with a shot saved and a 30-yard free-kick going into the wall.
But it was South China who went ahead just before half-time as Detinho toe-poked over the line.
Alan Gordon pulled Galaxy level on 61 minutes, seconds after he came on, with a simple finish after Michael Gavin’s through-ball. South China looked on course for the win when Troy Roberts handled in the box on 90 minutes, with Li Haiqiang converting the penalty. But Ely Allen was hacked down deep into injury-time, allowing Beckham to take the game straight into penalties.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}