Far Eastern frenzy

Beckham arrives in Japan to kickoff Asian tour

David Beckham and wife Victoria arrived in Tokyo Tuesday to begin an Asian tour. AP

TOKYO (AP) -- Japanese fans, some making the late switch from Manchester United to Real Madrid jerseys, packed Tokyo's main airport as David Beckham and his celebrity wife arrived Wednesday to kick off a tour of the Far East.

The England soccer captain, whose move from Old Trafford to Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid generated a storm of media attention, and wife Victoria, who was "Posh Spice" in pop group The Spice Girls, will film commercials in Japan before heading to Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand.

More than 1,000 fans -- mostly young women -- and journalists were waiting in the airport arrivals hall swarming with police and privately hired security guards.

United's overseas fans sad to see Becks depart LONDON (Reuters) -- Manchester United's overseas fans have reacted with dismay to the sale of David Beckham to European rival Real Madrid and are worried that they will not be able to compete with the Spaniards in the Champions League. "Might as well hand Real Madrid the European Cup now. Real are the benchmark in European football and we sell them one of our best players. How are we meant to compete?" said Craig Hudson. He was among a number of distraught United followers quoted on the club's official Web site as the England midfielder waved goodbye to Old Trafford after the clubs agreed a fee of about 35 million euros (US$41.16 million). "It's disappointing, truly disappointing. I'm speechless such a solid figure in the United lineup could be sold to the highest bidder as though he was bench material. Real Madrid got the better end of this deal," said Brendan from Boston. "Who does (United manager) Sir Alex (Ferguson) think he is? He made (Dutch defender) Jaap Stam leave us (for Lazio), and now Becks? He's gone over the line now," wrote Leif Ostgard. "I wish David Beckham all the luck and hope that Sir Alex Ferguson will stop pushing his players out of the club and that this is his last season. I want (Celtic boss) Martin O'Neill." However, other supporters were more philosophical and wanted to look towards the future. "It will be very difficult to accept that Becks is leaving but we have to get over it. We all wanted him to stay, but... let's hope that his replacement can help United to win the Champions League," said Alexander Alexeev. United has been linked with a host of players, including Brazil's Ronaldinho and Australia's Harry Kewell. "If we can bring Ronaldinho to the club and a new keeper it will ease the pain. If we get the Brazilian for nine million pounds then 25 million for Beckham may start to seem like a good deal," Jon Owen was quoted as saying on United's Web site. But while the United supporters praised Beckham for his services to the club and wished the England captain the all very best in Madrid, there was already some resentment at the loss of the club's most famous player to the Spaniards. "I really hope United and Madrid meet in the Champions League," said Alexeev. "I want Becks to feel his error on leaving United. When he comes back to Old Trafford with his white uniform, he'll feel the pressure. I'm sure United will beat Real and win the Champions League next season."

"I got here at 8 a.m.," said student Fumi Yokoyama, after waiting seven hours to catch a glimpse of her hero. "I couldn't get a photo of him but it was worth the wait just to see him."

Beckham enjoys rock star status in Japan and the other parts of Asia and a glimpse was all even the luckiest fans got. Surrounded by bodyguards, the Beckhams moved quickly through the airport and were whisked away to their hotel in Tokyo.

"He's just so much more exciting to watch than Japanese players," said Mari Kobayashi, who waited three hours to catch a fleeting glimpse of Beckham. "He's gorgeous!"

The visit comes less than a day after the announcement that Beckham will leave English Premier League champion Manchester United to join Real Madrid in a four-year deal worth US$41.35 million. Beckham's agents confirmed the transfer while the England midfielder was en route to Tokyo.

Some of the fans were already wearing Real Madrid jerseys to celebrate the move, though more wore the old Red Devils version.

The announcement ended a deluge of speculation over whether Beckham would leave the club he had been with for 13 years, but again put him in the spotlight.

Before the arrival, officials said they were prepared for a mob scene.

"This is a special case," Narita airport spokesman Kunio Hasegawa. "There are already a lot of fans here."

Beckham, who had just recently finished a promotional tour of the United States, said on Manchester United's web site that he was looking forward to the Asia trip, his first since the World Cup, which was co-hosted by Japan and South Korea.

"I had such a good time in Asia last summer at the World Cup and have been looking forward to returning," he said. "With such great fans all across Asia, I'm sure it's going to be a memorable trip."

In Japan, Beckham is referred to as "Beckham-sama," which translates to something like Sir Beckham.

According to a report in the Asahi, a major newspaper, Beckham is here as part of a two-year promotional deal with two Japanese companies worth a combined 1 billion yen (US$8.5 million).

Beckham will be in Tokyo through Saturday before flying on to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and Bangkok, Thailand.

Beckham's minders have banned international media from his promotional events, at least in Vietnam, to shield the star midfielder from intense questioning about his move.

 

Related information

Stories

End it like Beckham: From Manchester to Madrid Spain prepares to crown 'King Beckham' Beckham agrees Madrid move

Multimedia

Visit Video Plus for the latest audio and video