Smart Dream Cup lives up to Pinoy expectations

MANILA, Philippines - Just a year after the surprise showing of the Azkals in the 2010 Suzuki Cup and the resurgence of Philippine football the LA Galaxy came to Manila to cap the local football fan’s dreams.

Fresh from winning the 2011 Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup, the timing of their Herbalife Asia Pacific Tour couldn’t have been dreamed of by the producers, FuelCels and Magic Field Communications.

The Pinoy football community was just eager to have one last grand football event which was indeed a “Dream Cup” between local football heroes the Azkals and every footballer’s idol David Beckham. The LA Galaxy had three international football greats on their lineup – David Beckham, Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane.

Together they played magnificent football, combining for their winning goal in the 72nd minute against the Houston Dynamo to clinch the club’s third MLS Cup trophy (2002, 2005 and 2011).

The team is coached by a member of the 2010 induction class of the National Soccer Hall of Fame – Bruce Arena. He is also one of the most successful head coaches of the US national team.

The LA Galaxy arrived last Dec. 1 and they stayed at the Shangri-La Makati where they had a cocktail party sponsored by San Miguel Beer to welcome them to the Philippines.

The whole team went down and mingled with guests from the event’s major sponsors and the organizers. The next day the LA Galaxy also held a football clinic sponsored by Alaska Milk which had kids from several charities such as UNICEF, Bantay Bata, Payatas , Futkaleros and kids from the Alaska Power Camp.

The team gave tips to about 200 participants, hoping to inspire the next generation of Azkals.

 David Beckham, a UNICEF goodwill ambassador, went to visit a shelter for children who have been rescued from the streets.

Everybody was excited for the main match. What may seem to have been a lopsided victory for the LA Galaxy (6-1) has not been lost to a great experience of playing a championship club for the Azkals.

The first half may have given the MLS champions a bit of a wakeup call when the local heroes had several chances to score.

The first goal made, just like a script in a movie, was made by Beckham himself with an assist from Keane.

The shot as they say “bend it like Beckham” went past the goal keeper for the first goal of the match. It was the first goal he made after several years, he admitted during the press conference.

The LA Galaxy stepped it a notch higher on the second half, getting goals from several fantastic plays which silenced the local crowd a bit. The score, however, didn’t matter as the crowd enjoyed the show of skill and teamwork from the MLS Cup champions. It was simply a treat to watch.

The presentor of the Smart Dream Cup – Smart Communications, inc. – held a short half-time program hosted by local celebrity Grace Lee. They gave away prizes to football fans who watched the game.

The producers, FuelCels, Inc. and Magic Field Communications, were happy with the turn out of the event as the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium was filled out. The sponsors who helped make this historic event possible were Smart Communications, Inc., San Miguel Beer, Shangrila Makati – official home of the LA Galaxy in Manila, Alaska Milk Corporation, Manila Hotel – official hotel of the Phil. Azkals, Maynilad, Gatorade, Kia Motors and Suzuki.

Their media and broadcast partners were ABSCBN Sports, Studio 23 and Balls Channel, Philippine STAR, Malaya Business Insights and JobsDB.com.

The organizers are especially thankful to the support given by the Philippine Football Federation and the Philippine football Team – the Azkals.