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Monday, March 3, 2008

SENOL GUNES'S TEAM BEAT BECKHAM'S TEAM

Former Turkish National team coach Senol Gunes' team FC Seoul beat Beckham's Galaxy team in a friendly match after a penalty shootout.

David Beckham was the only one of five Los Angeles Galaxy players to convert in a penalty shootout and the Major League Soccer team lost to South Korea's FC Seoul in an exhibition game Saturday.

After the match ended 1-1, Seoul won 2-1 in the shootout thanks to four saves by goalkeeper Kim Ho-jun.

"We were disappointed to lose on penalties but penalties are like that -- there has to be a winner and a loser," Beckham said. "The overall play of the team in the first 30 minutes was good, some of the best football I've played with the Galaxy."

Every Beckham touch was applauded by the crowd that filled just half of the 65,000-capacity Seoul World Cup Stadium.

"The fans were giving me thumbs-down before the penalty so when I scored, I gave them the thumbs-up," Beckham said. "It was all a bit of fun."

The Galaxy had the better of an energetic first half, but the game slowed considerably after the break.

After just six minutes, Beckham was brought down by Lee Chung-young and the former England captain exchanged words with the young Korean.

In the 20th minute, Beckham set up the opening goal, floating a freekick into the penalty area, where Alan Gordon slotted the ball past Kim from close range.

Seoul equalized 10 minutes later when Jung Jo-gook scored from the penalty spot.

Beckham was the first player up in the shootout and blasted his kick high into the net, but Kim wasn't beaten again.

It was the opening leg of the American team's preseason East Asian tour. The Galaxy will play against Shanghai-Hong Kong United in Shanghai on Wednesday and then travel to play Hong Kong Union on March 9.

Source: This blog editor and wires

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