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Oceania All Stars 0 Galaxy 3

Jovan Kirovski, Alan Gordon and Brandon McDonald took a goal each in the first half to seal a win in new Zealand on December 6th before Beckham heads off to Milan.
As the scoreline implies, The Galaxy were dominant in the first half hardly allowing the All-stars a chance, and spurning a few chances of their own. Beckham was a real influence from set plays sending in free kicks and corners to good effect.
In the second half, both teams became victims of' tinkering' as substitute after substitute took to the field, the game slowed down and stagnated towards the end with neither team showing enough imagination to alter the score in any way even when Galaxy went down to ten men after Josh Tudela was sent off for his second yellow card.
Galaxy should be pleased to finish off their year with a positive result, something that has been difficult to secure in the MLS in 2008.

Pan-Pacific Tournament

The first Pan Pacific Tournament organised by MLS and featuring Beckham and LA Galaxy took place in Hawaii this month. The Galaxy did not cover themselves in glory by coming third out of the four teams that were invited to take part.
They lost 1-0 to eventual tournament winners Gamba Osaka of Japan, but beat Sydney FC 2-1 in their final game.
Beckham played full games and set up both of the goals in the game against Sydney in true Beckham style. "The right foot seems to be working" was the quote following the game- hopefully the left ankle isn't still a problem then??
Beckham and the Galaxy now move on to Asia prior to starting a new MLS season in which David will feel he has something to prove, both to the home crowd, and to the England manager.

England v USA?

England have a game against France lined up on 26th March, but it is unlikely that Beckham will be considered for this game as his fitness is no more certain than it was when he was training with Arsenal. Beckham is back training with LA Galaxy now and will have pretty much given up on the idea of his 100th cap being handed over any time soon.
There is a glimmer of hope now that Scotland have pulled out of the planned game on May28th, as the USA may be considering throwing their hat into the ring to face an England team which would be almost certain to feature Beckham at some point. It is the MLS who will negotiate with the FA over this possible fixture and it might be suggested that Beckham would be required to be at least part of the squad. This may well test Capello's resolve to only consider players who have earned a place in the team - and I wouldn't be surprised to see him sticking to his guns...
At least by then, Beckham will have had a chance to prove himself on the pitch, maybe we will see Capello catching a 'plane over to watch him play in LA ??

Beckham says it would be unfair...

...to have picked him over other players for the friendly international against Switzerland taking place tonight.
He rightly observed that many Premiership players have played 15 full-tilt games over the last two months while Beckham has been training with the Arsenal squad. The MLS season does not get under way until March, and hopefully he will take his chances to prove his fitness on the pitch to return to the England squad for that elusive 100th cap. Naturally Beckham acknowledges his disappointment stating that every player wants to be picked, however he knows Capello of old and will not expect favours from his old manager.
Beckham has also stated that he thinks that Capello is the right man for the job and respects his decision-making.
Gerrard has been given the captain's armband for tonight's match, but Capello will not release the starting lineup until the last moment.

McClaren backs Beckham

Speaking after a convention in Baltimore, McClaren declared that he believes that David Beckham deserves to get his 100th cap for England. This might strike some as odd as the reason that he doesn't have several caps more than his current 99 is largely due to the fact that McClaren dropped him after the last World Cup when Beckham stepped down as England captain.

McClaren was quick to suggest that injury was a major factor in Beckham only having 99 caps at this stage. The undeniable fact is that David Bentley of Blackburn is banging at the door of the England team having played his part in a couple of games, and Bentley's style is undeniably close to Beckhams. He displays the same peculiar foot movement when he strikes the ball with his right foot that Beckham does, is younger, fitter and is no stranger to controversy. Many have slated Bentley for withdrawing from the England under 21 squad to further his chances of playing for the senior team, but Capello will wipe the slate clean and has declared that his squad will be picked on merit alone.

If Bentley turns out to be half the player that Beckham has, it can only be good for a strong England squad in the future.

Fabio Capello takes up the reins

Capello starts his role as England Manager in earnest today and has plenty to think about. Foremost in his mind will be the World Cup qualifiers - as it will be on these results that he will be judged, Fabio understands that England expects... and expects much...

Meanwhile he is expected to bump into David Beckham when he visits the Arsenal ground as part of his famliarisation tour of facilities that the England team use for training and accommodation. Whilst it is by no means certain that Beckham will earn his 100th cap on February 6th, David himself is confident that his fitness is right where he wants it to be.

With typical Beckham enthusiasm, he claims that his desire to take part in England games is unaffected by the goal of reaching 100 caps "Even if it wasn't for the 100th cap, for an England game I'd do the same" he said at the Football Writers' Association Gala Dinner.

Beckham at Arsenal

Plans are being drawn up for David Beckham to train with Arsenal during the MLS close season. Having not played a game since the friendly in New Zealand, this could prove a vital part of regaining match-fitness after a sketchy start with LA Galaxy.
The plan is that he will arrive in January ahead of the England friendly with Switzerland on February 6^th, but nothing is as yet finalised.

Capello positive about Beckham

Capello specifically mentioned David Beckham in his recent press conference soon after being confirmed as the new England manager. He acknowledged Beckham as a valuable asset to the team and this bodes well for David's aim of reaching 100 caps.
The next England international will be a friendly in February 2008. Capello has indicated that he is his own man when it comes to selecting a squad, and that places will be won on merit by players with the right attitude. There is no room for sentiment in Capellos squad and it remains to be seen how the personnel in this group will differ from the last squad chosen to represent England.
Having already acknowledged Beckham's contribution, and having already established a relationship with him from the days at Real Madrid, there is hope that the final chapter has not yet been written in Beckham's international career.

Beckham wows New Zealand

At a training session today, 15,000 youngsters came to see David Beckham in action prior to tomorrows match against the Wellington Phoenix. The excitable crowd cheered, chanted and celebrated the presence of the global soccer superstar.
Beckham is creating a major Kiwi stir, and there is no doubt that the few remaining tickets for tomorrow's exhibition match will be quickly snapped up.
LA Galaxy v Wellington is guaranteed to be sold out, let's hope they get to see another good Beckham performance, but more importantly that he manages to stay injury free.

Sydney 5 LA Galaxy 3

Monday

Over 80,000 attended the game ( a record for club football in Australia) and Beckham gave them what they all came to see. His trade mark free kick bent into the top corner just before the first half ended. This however after Sydney had already netted three times. Things could have gone badly for Beckham after a bad tackle had an effect on the same ankle he had trouble with earlier in the year. Seemingly, he was able to recover sufficiently to score Galaxy's first goal and continue, even getting booked himself for a deliberate foul just after the hour mark.

Apparently about 20,000 Galaxy shirts (no doubt a good number of those with 'Beckham' emblazened on the back) were sold, and the crowd went away happy. The Galaxy and their captain will catch a plane to New Zealand next to take on Wellington Phoenix on Saturday.

Raring to go...

Beckham is keen to show that he is ready to play a full 90 minutes of football tomorrow against Sydney. In his own words, there are no England games on the horizon and the MLS season is over, so there is no reason for fitness to be spared. Contractually Beckham must play 55 minutes (such is the position he finds himself in nowadays!), but he evidently feels that he is good for a full match and is keen to show that he is up for the challenge. It's difficult to recall exactly when he last spent 90 minutes on a football pitch, but lets see if he can stay the course tomorrow...

Beckham won't start at Wembley

Tonight's vital Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia will start without David Beckham according to the latest rumours. Shaun Wright-Phillips is tipped to replace Beckham in the starting line-up. Steve McClarens bold decision will hopefully pay off otherwise it may be one of the last bold decisions he will be making as the England Manager. Already the stories are emerging of who is likely the replace him, and these aren't just idle speculation.
Wright-Phillips on the one side with Joe Cole on the other may just provide an injection of pace to catch out Croatia, but unless either player can get some telling crosses in, England may not be making the best use of the ultra-tall Peter Crouch.

England v Croatia

This is the big one then, the last chance for England to qualify for Euro 2008. Croatia are certain of a place, but the pressure is now on Russia who need England to fail in order to qualify, assuming they can overcome Andorra.
A minimum of a point is required for tomorrow's game at Wembley, and this time Steve McClaren is not giving any clues as to who will be in the starting eleven.
I am fairly certain that Beckham will play at least a hour, with the possibility of Wright-Phillips replacing him in the latter stages if things are comfortable or if Beckham is tiring. I would hope to see Gerrard and Barry start the game with Lampard kept in reserve in case of early injury. It looks like big Peter Crouch in the lone-role up front which should give the Croatia defenders something to think about, complemented with the pace and skills of Joe Cole and the whipped crosses from Beckham. McClaren will be hoping that this is enough to keep the lid on a Croatia team that have the potential to burst the England bubble...
At the back will be an admittedly make-shift combination built around Micah Richards, Sol Campbell and maybe Wes Brown.
The good news is that Croatia are not under pressure to win, the bad news is that Croatia are not under pressure to win!
C'mon Andorra!!!

Israel 2 Russia 1

Hope springs eternal for England's chances of qualifying for Euro 2008 and Beckham's chances of reaching the target of 100 England caps. Israel go ahead as Russia start nervously, Russia pull themselves together, score the equaliser and begin to stamp their authority on the game, only to lose out to a second Israeli goal leaving them 2 points behind England in the group. With one more match to play, assuming Russia will beat Andorra, England need 1 point minimum from Wednesdays game against Croatia. England's fate is firmly back in their own hands - remember Beckham's last gasp goal against Greece which qualified us for the European Championships? Something along those lines is definitely on the cards.... Many thanks to the Israeli team for their efforts!

Austria 0 England 1

Well, the plan didn't really go according to script tonight, England win but were far from convincing against fairly ineffective opposition.
Beckham played his part by providing the cross from a corner for a Peter Crouch headed goal (I predicted something along those lines at least), but the team as a whole did not really get their teeth into the game and stamp their authority. Worse, Michael Owen is injured and will not play on Wednesday. McClaren will be heavily criticised for the injury to Owen, but his future (if it is not already decided) hangs on how the Israel v Russia and Croatia v Macedonia games go tomorrow.
As predicted, Barry got a run-out in the second half, leading to speculation that he and Gerard (also played 45mins) will start on Wednesday. Defoe looked sharp as a replacement for Owen and may start up front with Crouch. We saw Ashley Young make a good start with Alan Smith coming off the bench and Bentley joining him.
Beckham played about an hour, which was expected in light of the game on Wednesday, everything points to Beckham starting on Wednesday, with the possibility of Wright-Phillips replacing him later in the game.

England starting XI

Steve McClaren named his starting eleven for the friendly against Austria tomorrow night.
England team: Scott Carson, Micah Richards, Joleon Lescott, Sol Campbell, Wayne Bridge, David Beckham, Steven Gerrard (Captain), Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Michael Owen, Peter Crouch

I was disappointed to see that Gareth Barry has been replaced, even if it is with Lampard, but I would not be surprised to see him playing next week unless Lampard has a phenomenal game...
Other notable exceptions are Rooney who is injured, Fredinand (suspended), ShaunWright-Phillips and Paul Robinson.

This looks like a slightly experimental team at this juncture with a few players needing to prove themselves for the vital Croatia game, Beckham included. I would expect a slightly different starting line-up next week.

Beckham then, is set to collect his 98th cap, and much interest will be generated by his presence on the pitch, he will feel he has something to prove, this is often when he at his most dangerous. He will have option of crossing to Crouch or Owen, both top-class finishers.

A Beckham assist whipped in from the right for an early goal (header by Crouch) would settle the side and show Euro 2008 what it will be missing if this team doesn't manage to qualify. I would hope to see this followed up by a Beckham 'bend it' special free kick from the left-side a few yards outside the penalty area for goal number two, and a slipped Lampard pass for Owen's deft touch to pop the third past an unsuspecting keeper....

There's my prediction then, for what it's worth - I really hope I don't have to eat my words when the result comes in tomorrow... Either way, if Israel can't contain Russia on Saturday, it will be a disappointing blow and will make the Croatia game a 'just for pride' match as far as England are concerned. Beckham to collect cap no 99? will he ever get the chance to make it to 100??

England v Austria

England manager Steve McClaren is set to start both David Beckham and Ashley Cole in the match against Austria this coming weekend. Both players have had recent ankle injuries and need some top class football before the vital clash against Croatia.

McClaren has defended the decision to play Austria, despite rumblings that the match is pointless. There will be opportunities for Cole and Beckham to play a competitive match which will form part of the preparation for 21st, and a chance to try Scott Carson in goal as a replacement for Paul Robinson.

England supporters will be hoping for a convincing performance, some goals (in the right net) and a distinct lack of injuries....

Galaxy 2 Thunder 1

The Galaxy beat the USL's Minnesota Thunder in a shootout when the two teams drew 1-1 after full-time. Beckham provided the assist in the 7th minute for the Galaxy goal and played 73 minutes in total. He took control of kicking duties for free-kicks as expected, but the Galaxy could only manage the one goal in normal time.

Over 20,000 turned out to see the spectacle and Beckham left the pitch to resounding approval from the fans.

Next stop Vienna on the 16th for the warm up before the real clash on 21st against Croatia.
The Galaxy were originally scheduled to come to Minnesota on Oct. 10, but the match was rescheduled after Beckham sprained his knee.

Beckham may take Galaxy back to Real Madrid

The long list of non-competitive fixtures may now include an invitation for LA Galaxy to play Real Madrid on December 5th for the 'Santiago Bernabeu friendly' trophy.
The annual challenge match originally been scheduled for August 28th against sporting Lisbon, but was postponed after the sudden death of Sevilla FC player Antonio Puerta.
Sporting may not be able to make the rescheduled game, so it is believed that the Galaxy are been offered the challenge instead.