LA Galaxy vs Azkals airs live on Studio 23 and Balls

The friendly match between one of the best professional American football clubs LA Galaxy led by superstar tandem David Beckham and Landon Donovan; and the Philippine national team the Azkals will be aired live on Studio 23 and Balls HD starting at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 3, 2011.

Penetrating the field as underdogs, the Azkals have steadily risen in the international football scene and has advanced the sport’s popularity in the country.

Led by forward Ian Araneta and left winger Chieffy Caligdong, the Azkals will prove they have what it takes to go toe-to-toe with global football heavyweights Beckham and Donovan, who will showcase their superior football skills in front of Filipino football fans.

Beckham, the English midfield superstar, captained the England national football team from 2000 to 2006 and also played for football giants Manchester United, Real Madrid, A.C. Milan and now the L.A. Galaxy. Beckham was also twice a runner-up for the prestigious FIFA World Player of the Year in 1999 and 2001.

Donovan, the American superstar forward, holds the title of being the highest scoring American footballer in World Cup history and also played for Bayern Munich and Everton. Donovan received the 1999 FIFA U-17 best player award and the 2002 FIFA World Cup best young player award.

Catch “The Dream Cup: The Philippine Azkals vs. the L.A. Galaxy with David Beckham” on Saturday (Dec 3), 6:30 PM on Studio 23 and Balls HD (SkyCable ch. 167), with replays on Sunday (Dec 4), 10:15 AM on ABS-CBN and Monday (Dec 5), 9 AM on Balls.

A Press Release

David Beckham during his arrival in Manila Thursday*

Football superstar David Beckham said during a press conference held at the Shangri-La Hotel in Makati Thursday that he is anticipating a tough fight versus the Philippine national team this Saturday.

“I think yesterday (against Indonesia) was a very difficult game. We had a lot of travel, our legs haven’t come back. We expect our game to be exactly the same, a very difficult game,” said Beckham, who played 84 minutes in their exhibition match against Indonesia during the first leg of their Asia-Australia tour.

Azkals members, meanwhile, promised their fans they won’t play in awe against the American football club.

"I don't think there's pressure for us to play against the Galaxy and it's important for us to play our game," Phil Younghusband said. "Obviously the Galaxy are a team with a high standard of play and we’ll have a more defensive mindset and use our speed to our advantage."

“Papakitaan namin sila ng magandang laban sa Saturday,” said Azkals co-team captain Chieffy Caligdong.

As part of their Asia-Australia tour to promote their club, Beckham's team, the LA Galaxy, will be facing the Philippine Azkals in a friendly match to be held at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium on Saturday, December 3, 2011. The game will be aired live on Studio 23 and BALLS starting at 6:30 p.m., with kick-off at 7 p.m. A replay will be broadcast on ABS-CBN the following day, December 4, at 10:30 a.m.

*Photo courtesy of @ABSCBNchannel2

Azkals vs LA Galaxy tickets get priced.

The ticket prices for the highly anticipated friendly match between the Phillippine national football team, the Philippine Azkals, and the Los Angeles (LA) Galaxy have been revealed earlier this evening.

According to reports, the tickets for the Azkals vs LA Galaxy game are priced as follows: P15,500, P12,500, P10,500, P9500, P5,000 and P2,000.

Tickets will be available for purchase through Ticketworld outlets starting noontime, tomorrow.

The said LA Galaxy vs Azkals exhibition match will be happening on December 3, 2011 at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium. It is part of LA Galaxy's tour in Southeast Asia to promote their club.

Studio 23 and Balls will be airing the game live starting at 6:30 pm, with kick-off at 7 p.m. Its replay will be broadcast on ABS-CBN the following day, December 4, at 10:30 a.m.