AUCKLAND – The Oceania All Stars put in an inspired second half performance in holding David Beckham’s Major League Soccer powerhouse LA Galaxy to their early 3-0 lead.

Thousands turned out on an idyllic evening at Mount Smart Stadium to see the world’s most famous footballer, but got far more than they expected.

After going ahead early through Jovan Kirovski, the Galaxy’s superior organisation produced two headed goals courtesy of Alan Gordon and Brandon McDonald.

The half-time break saw the All Stars in heated conversation, make a delayed re-entrance to the field, and consequently give all they had for the entire second period. 

All Stars Coach Jim Selby’s post-match assessment was that "the Pacific Island players showed that they have plenty of skill to offer, and when we can get them playing together more often – we really get to see what they can do together".

The vast majority of the Oceania All Stars squad met no less than a week prior to the fixture, and had only a handful of training sessions together.

Despite this, passages of play between Dutch Eredivisie, Serie A, UEFA Cup, and Champions League – amongst others – winner and Oceania All Stars guest player Edgar Davids, All White Cole Peverley, and Solomon Island international Henry Fa’arodo brought the crowd to spontaneous applause.

Old foes David Beckham and Edgar Davids meet on the Mount Smart pitch

The performance of a side featuring players from no less than nine separate countries, who had travelled from literally all corners of the globe for this match alone is a credit to coaches Selby and Colin Tuaa.

In a post-match media conference featuring international superstars Christian Karembeu, Davids, Mark Bosnich, former All White Ivan Vicelich echoed the sentiment in saying how "to bring together players from all across Oceania and get them on the same pitch in front of a major crowd just shows what we can do, [and] the potential that our own players have".

Oceania’s cluster of multiple championship-winning superstars

Without a doubt the star of the show was David Beckham – but Oceania offered plenty for the future.

When decorated Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Ambassador Karembeu withdrew himself from the action after quarter of an hour, the crowd was introduced to Papua New Guinea international David Muta – who slotted into the fixture comfortably and showed why he is plying his trade in the Queensland State League with larger clubs after his services.

The lighter side of competitive sport was evident after the final whistle, with players gathering for group photos with their new friends – and Beckham leaping over an advertising hoarding to give his shirt to an adoring young female fan.

Early signs for further events of this type are encouraging, with the Galaxy entourage publically congratulating all involved for a successful and memorable stay in New Zealand.

*images courtesy of Phototek

EXHIBITON MATCH

OCEANIA ALL STARS vs. LOS ANGELES GALAXY

Mount Smart Stadium, Penrose, Auckland

Saturday 6 December 2008

Kick-off: 19H35 (NZT)  

ALL STARS 0

LA GALAXY 3 (Kirovski, Gordon, McDonald)

OCE: 1. Mark BOSNICH [gk]; 3. Nelson SALE; 4. Steven OLD; 7. Ivan VICELICH; 9. Raimana LI FUNG KUEE; 10. Edgar DAVIDS; 11. Jarrod SMITH; 12. Esala MASI; 16. Cole PEVERLEY; 18. Henry FAARODO; 19. Christian KAREMBEU [c].

Substitutes: 2. Benjamin LONGUE; 5. Fedy VAVA; 6. Pierre WAJOKA; 8. Judd MOLEA; 13. Francois SAKAMA; 14. David MUTA; 15. Seule SOROMON; 17. Aleck MAEMAE; 20. Jacob SPOONLEY [gk]. 

LOS: 2. Mike RANDOLPH; 6. Eddie LEWIS; 7. Chris KLEIN; 9. Jovan KIROVSKI; 19. Josh TUDELA; 21. Alan GORDON; 23. David BECKHAM [c]; 24. Julian VALENTIN; 28. Sean FRANKLIN; 31. Josh WICKS [gk]; 32. Brandon McDONALD.

Substitutes: 3. Leonard GRIFFIN; 12. Troy ROBERTS; 17. Tristan BOWEN; 18. Mike MUNOZ; 22. Josh SAUNDERS; 26. Ely ALLEN; 27. Bryan JORDAN; 29. Michael GAVIN.

Red Cards: 19. Josh TUDELA

Goalscorers: 9. Jovan KIROVSKI (3′), 21. Alan GORDON (14′), 32. Brandon McDONALD (32′).

Referee: Michael HESTER (NZL)

Assistant Referee 1: Jan-Hendrick HINTZ (NZL)

Assistant Referee 2: Mark RULE (NZL)

Fourth Official: Chris KERR (NZL)