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| Sunday, 26 May 2002 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Beckham's
dream in Asia
by Srian Obeyesekere The cricket must have its attraction over in Britain, but the craze must surely be the soccer World Cup which journeys for the first time to Asia. As much as Nasser Hussain's bunch of cricketers conjure visions of coming back in the second Test at Edgbaston this Thursday after being made to follow on by the Sri Lankans in the first at Lords, for soccer crazy Britons it must be the fitness of their captain, David Beckham that must be worrying. For Beckham, regarded the mega who can transform his country's fortunes which have floundered since 1966 when England last won under Bobby Charlton, keeps both country and fans guessing as to whether he can beat injury to get on to the big show. Indeed, English hopes lie very much on Beckham as all Asia gears for the big event to be co-hosted by Korea and Japan starting on May 31 as already star studded names like France's Zinedine Zidane and Argentina's Juan Sebastian Veron are being heralded. While France start favourites with a new look Argentina boasting of a new star in Veron not far behind, English hopes of bringing back home the holy grail after 16 long years are said to run high. Not in a long time has England been touted of reaching the zenith in a land where passions run high for its rich heritege. And ofcourse Beckham. Beckham and Michael Owen form the magnet of England's crusade for the great flair the two players carry. But to get on to the field Beckham has been battling an injury he sustained to a bone in his left foot. But even as Beckham continues his battle against time, the jinx to Beckham and country dates back to some 16 years ago. In 1986 he was seen as a star on the horizon. Great things were expected of the youngster. But all British hopes were dashed away when Beckham had to make an early exit, shown the red card for kicking an opponent when he was brought down in a crucial game against arch foes Argentina. It earned him instant condemnation from his country. Experts writing him off as a bad boy. Some saw him not as a trueer player but as someone after fame which was further strengthened by his marriage to Victoria of Spice girls fame. It is ironic that it is the same Beckham to whom his countrymen have turned to deliver with the ball on Asian soil. Asians to whom soccer has been like second nature,thanks to the satellite which has popularised the game through giant screens. While France's Zidane, said to be the better by his heroics of 4 years ago and a much more matured player, is expected to hog the limelight once again, Beckham, the odds heavily on his side of fully recovering, is seen by experts capable of translating things for a gifted right foot. His fortitude being his curving kick at most any distance at goal. It is this virtue in Beckham coupled with the dash of Michael Owen in the input of goals that has transformed England from a jaded team to a winning one drilled by a Swedish coach - Svan Goran Erikksson. While Beckham has much to make up for England for which has been a 16-year long wait from that lapse on the field, from an Asian point of view the 2002 Korea/Japan FIFA World Cup is of great significance for China who will be making its debut in the extravaganza. As much for Brazil's Ronaldo. Disgraced at the last World Cup in France, unable to flaunt his large talents in the final against france. But said to have learnt from the experience and quietly confident. As well for Argentina who have not won since 1986 when the controversial Diego Maradona took them to cup glory. Said to be a team that has learnt to depend more as an unit than on individual brilliance. But above all for Beckham as his team is once again grouped alongside Argentina in Group F in a tough draw. |
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