WELLINGTON - Wellington Phoenix captain Ross Aloisi will take home David Beckham's shirt as a souvenir from what he believes was a momentous weekend for the promotion of football in New Zealand.
The A-league newcomers attracted a crowd of 30,000 against the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday in an exhibition match arranged to boost the profile of the game in the rugby-mad Pacific nation.
Beckham scored in Galaxy's 4-1 win, and defender Aloisi admits playing against the former England captain was a moment to savour.
"It's got to be one of the best things in my career and it's something I'll never forget," Aloisi told The Dominion Post.
"All our fans, once David Beckham left the field and we went around and saluted everyone, they actually stayed in the stadium and clapped us, and that's amazing.
"It's a credit to everyone involved, it's a credit to all the Wellingtonians who have followed the Phoenix during the season and people all around New Zealand."
Former Australia international Aloisi, brother of former Coventry and Portsmouth striker John, was also effusive in his praise of the star attraction.
"It's incredible," he added. "I never thought I'd come to Wellington let alone play against David Beckham. I don't even think that the players will realise what has happened until they see it on TV.
"But I just can't talk highly enough of the people here and David Beckham, the guy is a legend.
"He has made time for everyone, he's a massive ambassador for the game of football and for him to wait after the game and swap shirts with me, and actually want my shirt, surprised me a lot."
