Beckham blows hot and cold on losing competitive Real debut

England star David Beckham blew hot and cold on his introduction to the competitive world of Spanish football when he set up a goal before being substituted in Real Madrid's 2-1 Spanish Super Cup first leg loss here to Real Mallorca.

Beckham, widely praised for the way he has knuckled down to the challenge of a new career in Spain after his summer move from Manchester United, started all four pre-season matches in Asia, only to be slated for a poor showing in last week's friendly goalless draw at Valencia.

On Sunday, he began well enough, despite being deployed in the centre of midfield with Portugal's Luis Figo outside him on the right flank.

Pre-season, Beckham had largely featured on his favoured right with Figo switching to the opposite flank.

Both men combined well for the opening goal of the game beore a 20,000 crowd at the Estadio Son Moix, a Beckham corner from the left travelling all the way through to Figo, who chested down and drove home on 19 minutes.

But Real then took their foot off the pedal and were punished for their sloppiness, leaving them with work to do at the Bernabeu in the return leg on Wednesday.

And by the time Real coach Carlos Queiroz reacted by withdrawing Beckham for want-away French star Claude Makelele after 53 minutes Mallorca were leading 2-1 through goals from Dutch striker Arnold Bruggink and Cameroon international Samuel Eto'o.

Real's Brazilian forward Ronaldo had had a chance to make it 2-0 in the 38th minute, curling the ball just wide after a breakaway.

But gutsy Spanish Cup winners Mallorca showed no sign of being overawed by Real's superstar ensemble and after several near misses they levelled seconds before the interval.

Beckham and company were largely being overshadowed by Mallorca's Argentine midfield dynamo Ariel Ibagaza, and he held off Zidane and Esteban Cambiasso, then played the ball through the legs of Francisco Pavon for Bruggink to level.

Eto'o, once of Real, put the hosts ahead three minutes after the restart, cracking a right-footed effort over the advancing keeper Iker Casillas as a flat-footed Real back four gave him yards of space.

It was only after Makelele, who is demanding a salary increase or a transfer, came on that Real assumed some shape as he began to take a grip in deep midfield which had been overcrowded prior to his entrance.

"At least we have the advantage of the away goal," said Makelele, who would not be drawn on his long-term future, save only to tell reporters: "I'm always happy to wear the white shirt of Real."

Beckham is meanwhile facing a club-versus-country tussle with England due to face Macedonia in a Euro 2004 qualifier in Skopje on September 6.

Three days later Real have a league game against Villarreal but England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson can call on Real to release the star before that game under UEFA rules.

Queiroz is set, however, to ask Eriksson to allow Beckham to play and then join the England squad a day late.

Source: WorldSoccerNews.com

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