Beckham returns to New Zealand with Galaxy

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) -- David Beckham arrived in New Zealand Wednesday for a second round of soccer diplomacy, receiving a rousing, though calmer, welcome than on his first visit a year ago.

Beckham and his Los Angeles Galaxy team are due to play an exhibition match in Auckland on Saturday. He touched down in New Zealand at 5:30 a.m. local time looking travel weary, standing quietly among teammates as a group of indigenous Maori performed a traditional welcoming ceremony.

Last December, the English superstar drew a crowd of more than 32,000 to their match against the Wellington Phoenix A-League side in Wellington.

The hype surrounding that visit included more than 15,000 fans turning out to watch a training session and Beckham's every move and utterance was reported in detail by local media, or by fans in internet chatrooms.

Beckham mania reached such a pitch that one fan offered the remnants of a meal consumed by the soccer superstar -- including a single french fry -- on an auction website and attracted enthusiastic bidders.

Anticipation of Beckham's second visit has been more subdued and ticket sales for Saturday's match have been sluggish. Local media reported around 15,000 tickets had recently been sold at a stadium which holds 32,000. Organizers said ticket sales were expected to gain pace in coming days.

The Oceania team to play the Galaxy will include former Manchester United goalkeeper Mark Bosnich and former French international Christian Karembeu.

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