Hong Kong Fans Boo Late Start by Real Madrid

Thousands of fans booed and jeered on Thursday as Real Madrid arrived late for a training session in Hong Kong, a day after canceling a public appearance.

But the boos turned into cheers as David Beckham and the rest of the team finally strode on to the pitch of the city's main soccer stadium, more than an hour late.

Screams filled the stadium from 30,000 fans, some of whom had waited outside overnight to watch the practice before an exhibition match on Friday against a Hong Kong select XI.

The match is the last stop in Real Madrid's first Asian tour as they seek to crack the lucrative market following the signing of the England captain, whose ability to sell merchandise and boost television ratings in the region is unrivalled.

"Beckham" shouted his supporters, wearing t-shirts emblazoned with his name or number.

"Now I like number 23 -- I bought his t-shirt last week. In the past, I didn't have much good feeling toward 23," said 35-year-old salesman Howard Li.

Last month half a million people took to the streets to protest against the government's plans to push through a controversial anti-subversion law as required by Article 23 of Hong Kong's constitution.

During the training session, some fans broke through barricades to see their idols up close and ask for autographs. They were quickly hustled away by security guards.

Beckham threw a ball to fans and the players hugged and shook hands with orphans whose parents had died of SARS.

Fans with free-seating tickets for Friday's match were already queuing up outside the stadium to try to get the best seats.

On Wednesday, the team called off a training session after arriving late from Tokyo and only sent a few players to a press conference.

Organizers said the players were too tired but local television later showed footage of them visiting popular nightclubs, dogged by hordes of fans seeking autographs and pictures.

Real beat China Dragon Team 4-0 in Beijing on Saturday, followed by a 3-0 win over FC Tokyo, which included a goal by Beckham, on Tuesday.