Beckham-mania hits Sapporo

The England team arrived to the kind of welcome normally reserved for pop stars when they touched down in the Japanese city of Sapporo today for their showdown with Argentina.

David Beckham in particular was greeted by screaming female fans and the clamour of television crews desperate for a view of him.

But while most other players waved and smiled as the team coach was driven past the waiting throng, Beckham appeared bored and looked away, showing the crowd only the back of his head.

Even this did not disappoint the Japanese. Kazuyuki Takahashi, a TV reporter, said: "The arrival of the England team is the big story of the week here. It will lead the bulletin. Even pictures of the back of his head are good for us. There is no mistaking whose head it is."

Fan Souichii Kezawa wore an England shirt with Beckham's name on the back. "It is so exciting to see him," he said. "I can hardly believe they are here."

Sven-Goran Eriksson's squad have been regularly greeted by huge and animated crowds of Japanese fans.

The circus atmosphere was completed today by a squad of 200 police officers positioned around the team bus at Sapporo's Chitose airport which had been driven onto the tarmac to save the players from being mobbed by fans.

The team is staying at the Kita Hiroshima Prince Hotel where a double room is available for under £50 a night. This puts the team in the unusual position of staying in cheaper accommodation than most of their supporters.

There are plastic plants in the reception area, no gym and the foyer shop sells polyester socks for £2 a pair.

It was chosen because it is surrounded by a spectacular golf course. The intention appears to be to get the players as relaxed as possible before tomorrow's game.

? The British company at the centre of the World Cup ticketing fiasco, Manchester-based Byrom, is still in with a chance of winning the contract for the next finals in Germany in 2006 according to Fifa.

Posh splits from Virgin
BECKHAM MANIA