Survey finds soccer's gender division

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Sat, 06/17/2006 3:10 PM | Jakarta

Anissa S. Febrina, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

When it comes to the discussion of soccer players, men and women really do speak different languages, an ACNielsen survey reveals.

While the 300 Jakartans of both sexes interviewed last week showed almost unanimous support for defending World Cup champion Brazil, it was a different story when they selected their favorite players.

While most of the male respondents plumped for the prodigiously talented Brazilians strikers Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, women opted for England's pretty boy David Beckham.

The image-conscious metrosexual, who is as famous for his constantly evolving hairdo and domestic tribulations as he is for his oval kick, received 37 percent of the vote among female respondents and only 12 percent from males.

Being easy on the eye and bearing dazzling celebrity wattage seems to count more for Jakartan women than breathtaking skills coupled with so-so looks.

""Top players are like big brands. People randomly name the ones with the largest market share,"" the marketing research company's executive director, Catherine Eddy, said Friday.

""And Beckham garners the biggest share...in the tabloids.""

His handsomeness has been the hook for at least one convert to the beautiful game.

""I was not a soccer fan,"" writer Djenar Maesa Ayu said. ""I have to admit that it was Beckham's looks that drew me into soccer in the first place.""

England's team -- with Beckham and boyish Michael Owen on the side -- was more of a hit among the women surveyed than the men.

While only 7 percent of male respondents voted for England, the ratio more than doubled in women, with a 16 percent approval rating.

Owen received 3 percent of female votes but only 1 percent among males.

Surprisingly, none of the heart-throbs from Italy finished in the top ranks.

""It is once again due to the factor of media exposure,"" Eddy explained. ""Italian players might only appear in sports magazine, while Beckham fills even entertainment tabloids.""

Yet men and women are in agreement that Brazil rules the game.

Some 42 percent of respondents chose the Samba team as their favorite to win in German.

""When you mention soccer, Brazil almost automatically comes to mind,"" actor Alex Komang said. ""They are attached to the history of soccer.""

Eddy said: ""Overall, Brazil is a clear emotional favorite to win this year's World Cup.""

The host team was a distant second (25 percent) and England finished third (11 percent).

Several prominent teams did not fare as well as would have been expected.

Only 8 percent of respondents opted for Argentina and Italy, while a tiny 2 percent were fans of France.

So, whose corner are you in when it comes to soccer's stars?

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