Beckham plays with youngsters in Qingdao

Updated: 2013-03-22 22:38

By Xie Chuanjiao in Qingdao (chinadaily.com.cn)

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More than 5,000 fans were lucky enough to watch David Beckham perform on Friday in Qingdao.

As an ambassador for Chinese soccer, Beckham came to the coastal city of Shandong to inspire more youngsters to play the game after a two-day visit to Beijing.

"I am very glad to participate in the development of Chinese youth soccer, play with them, and give them care and love both on the field and in life," he told a media conference.

He also gave advice to the young players.

"I think they should enjoy this game and dedicate themselves to it. There are a lot of talented people in the world, but it requires much more dedication and hard work to succeed," he said.

After his arrival at Tiantai Stadium, the home field of Chinese super league club Qingdao Jonoon, the Paris St. German midfielder walked around the stadium and waved his hands to the fans, who responded with cheers and chants.

In the subsequent 15-minute friendly match, Beckham led a girls team against a boys side led by Su Maozhen, a former national player. Beckham displayed his passing skills while tutoring his teammates on the finer points of the game.

After a nine-hour stay in Qingdao, Beckham took a flight to Wuhan. He will head back to Beijing on Saturday and leave China next Monday.

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