USA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - U.S. forward Landon Donovan relishes meeting David Beckham at World Cup/World Cup draw celebrations held

Record ID: 699658

  • Title: USA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - U.S. forward Landon Donovan relishes meeting David Beckham at World Cup/World Cup draw celebrations held
  • Date: 6th December 2009
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) LANDON DONOVAN SAYING: "Pretty exciting. We were waiting at some point in that eight, trying to figure out who we were going to get. The first two didn't fall for us and someone said as it was coming out that it was going to be the U.S. and sure enough it was us. My first thought was that David's (Beckham) there. It must be interesting for him and its going to be a great game. Really exciting."
  • Embargoed: 21st December 2009 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA2GP3QT96U2IF6P2Q9OGWPX5BF
  • Story Text: Landon Donovan confirmed on Friday (December 4) that there will be some friendly wagering between himself and LA Galaxy teammate David Beckham when the two meet in opening round play at the World Cup in South Africa. The two had a falling out over comments Donovan had made about the English soccer icon and his lack of commitment to Major League Soccer.
    They have apparently since reconciled and went to the Major League Soccer (MLS) final in Seattle.
    "You know if things hadn't worked out the way they did this year, it would have been different or awkward or whatever but it's going to be exciting and unfortunately I'm not going to see him before the World Cup because he's playing in Italy but it will be a lot of fun to get there and see each other and say hi. It'll be fun." Donovan said.
    Stuart Holden, a midfielder rising in stature on the U.S. national squad, expressed confidence that if the U.S. team does its homework, they will have a good chance of advancing in their group which includes England, Slovenia and Algeria.
    "You know there are never any easy teams at the World Cup. There's always tough teams but as far as our group, England's a tough team. They're one of the top teams in the world. Algeria and Slovenia both had good qualifying campaigns. If you say we're happy, you know I think we're excited for the World Cup and we'll do our homework and be prepared for those teams on those days. I have full confidence that if we play the way we have been we'll be in with a chance for advancing," Holden told Reuters Television at a Draw celebration hosted by Adidas at Washington's Union Station.
    Holden agreed that the prospect of LA Galaxy teammates Landon Donovan and soccer icon David Beckham meeting on the field in South Africa would be of great interest to American soccer fans.
    "Yeah teammates playing against each other. I think they've grown close on the field with the Galaxy so now for them to be facing off potentially in the World Cup would be a good story line. Two good teams, I think that's the bigger story here and we're really looking forward to it," Holden said.
    South African Ambassador Welile Nhlapo spoke to the fans gathered to watch the draw and declared andand to pessimism regarding his country's ability to pull off the massive sporting event which starts in June.
    "It's very critical because for some time now we've been subjected to all kinds of questions about whether can you really make it? Can you pull it off? People are talking about alternative venues and FIFA has been steadfast to say that they have faith in us and they believe we can make the deadline. Even in terms of the stadia, I think its a record,"Nhlapo told Reuters.
    South Africa will open their World Cup campaign with the opening round match against Mexico on June 11th.
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