72
ASSOCIATED PRESS
British soccer player David Beckham of the Los Angeles Galaxy smiles upon arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at suburban Pasay city south of Manila, Philippines Thursday Dec.1, 2011. Beckham and the LA Galaxy team are here for a friendly soccer match with the Philippine team known as the Azkals. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
MANILA, Philippines >> David Beckham said he has a “big decision to make” after his contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy expires and reiterated his desire to play for for the British team in the London Olympics next year.
The former England captain arrived in Manila on Thursday.
“I’m very proud of the time that I’ve spent with the Galaxy and it might continue,” said Beckham, whose contract expires at the end of the tour. “I think at the end of the day I have a big decision to make but I obviously haven’t made one yet.”
Beckham said he “would love to be part of the GB team” in the Olympics next year, especially since the games will be played in a part of London where he grew up.
“Hopefully I’ll be going back to London next summer,” he said.
The Galaxy won 1-0 against Indonesia on Wednesday and head to Australia after the game with the Philippine national team on Saturday.
Saturday’s friendly in Manila is expected to give a boost to football in a country where the national team is lowly ranked and basketball and boxing are the most popular sports in town.
Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena encouraged Filipino football players to “work hard” and “chase the dream” of competing internationally.
The Philippine team is improving, reaching the semifinals this year at the Asean Football Federation Cup. Most of the players are half-Filipinos from European leagues who want to play for the country.
Before Saturday’s game, Beckham and the Galaxy will hold a football clinic with children from poor communities in Manila.
“We always try to play diplomatic football … but we want to win. It doesn’t matter if its a friendly, we want to win the game,” he said.
