Sydney beats Galaxy 5-3, Beckham meets expectations

Photo: Sydney beats Galaxy 5-3, Beckham meets expectations

Sydney crowd got what it wanted: Galaxy was defeated, but David Beckham – a player and a trademark in one – had scored a goal.

Having limped around for almost 20 minutes after injuring his left ankle in an awkward challenge, the former England captain scored the Los Angeles Galaxy's only first-half goal in Tuesday's exhibition against Sydney FC.

The Galaxy scored two more in the second half but was beaten 5-3 by Sydney.

Beckham, trailed by paparazzi and constantly under the media gaze at a series of celebrity and sponsor engagements since arriving on Sunday, fulfilled his playing obligations in Sydney.

The MLS club's tour Down Under went ahead on the proviso that Beckham played a decent part in matches against A-League clubs Sydney and Wellington Phoenix.

Beckham is scheduled to appear at a perfume launch in Sydney on Wednesday before leaving for New Zealand and Saturday's match against the Phoenix.

His first game in Australia could have been over after 27 minutes with Galaxy behind 2-0, when Beckham lost his footing and was knocked over in a collision with Sydney midfielder Brendon Santalab.

Santalab slipped as he covered Beckham, knocking over the former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder and creating a hush over Sydney's Olympic stadium.

Beckham sat on his haunches, clutching his left ankle, but got up and continued.