Beckham fever hits Japan

He doesn't play for their team, and, indeed, may not even play at all.

But for some reason, David Beckham is a hero in Japan.

In a frenzy that has transcended national loyalty, hundreds of fans are painting their faces with the Cross of St George, wearing England shirts and carrying banners declaring their support for the England captain.

The phenomenon crystallised yesterday at the end of England's World Cup warm-up match with Cameroon.

The game itself had hardly set the stadium in Kobe alight, ending in a 2-2 draw. But as spectators drifted towards the exits, someone noticed the injured

Beckham emerge on to the pitch to stretch his legs and kick a ball.

Suddenly thousands of departing fans returned to the stands to watch.

Beckham's two-minute kickabout excited far more interest than anything that had gone on during the previous 90.

The Japanese branch of his fan club is as anxious as anyone back home about the skipper's injured foot. 'Beckham please play!' screamed a poster, in a mixture of English and Japanese, carried by one local.

When news of his damaged metatarsal first reached Japan, thousands apparently employed their origami skills to make him paper cranes, a traditional Japanese symbol of healing.

All England's games were sold out months ago with local people jamming the telephone lines for tickets. Young girls, meanwhile, are showing their appreciation by screaming in a style reminiscent of Beatlemania.

Their interest is almost exclusively in Beckham. Michael Owen is the only other player with any chance of being recognised. The rest of the England team could stroll through Tokyo without attracting a second glance.

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