US, Japan and Australian teams to vie for Pan-Pacific title</p> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'></p> HONOLULU, Hawaii (AFP) - England star David Beckham will be the star attraction next February when top US, Japanese and Australian football clubs meet here in the debut of a new tournament, the Pan-Pacific Championship. Officials from the J-League, A-League and Major League Soccer announced the creation of the event Thursday, with Aloha Stadium to host semi-final matches February 20 and a championship-consolation double-header on February 23. Beckham and the Los Angeles Galaxy, runner-up in this year's inaugural SuperLiga between US and Mexican clubs, will be joined by MLS champion Houston Dynamo, Japan's Gamba Osaka and next February's Aussie league winner. The Galaxy will face Gamba Osaka in the semi-final opener with Houston playing the Australian club in the nightcap. "Partnering with clubs from respected and sophisticated competitions such as the MLS and J-League validates the massive advances that football in Australia has made over the past three years," said Football Federation Australia chief executive Ben Buckley. The Japanese side features 19-year-old Japanese sensation Michihiro Yasuda and J-League star Yasuhito Endo. "What a great pleasure it is that Gamba Osaka have this opportunity to play against such strong opponents," J-League chairman Kenji Onitake said. "I sincerely hope that these Pan-Pacific games will promote still more exchange through football all around the Pacific." Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber sees the chance for global growth by each league thanks to the event. "The event will provide the participating teams with high level competition, while enhancing each league's exposure throughout the world," Garber said.</div></p>
