Fake Galacticos, Beckham on the side at Asian Cup

HANOI, July 20 (Reuters) A brief glance at the teams contesting this year's Asian Cup reveals an eye-goggling array of knock-off ''Galacticos'' -- even a Beckham on the side.

David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane and Roberto Carlos are not players you normally associate with the Asian Cup -- but no team appears to have left home without one again this year.

The ''Zidane of Thailand'' and the ''Roberto Carlos of Iraq'' have returned to boost the tournament's pulling power while there is even a ''Beckham of Uzbekistan'' prowling the touchline.

Therdsak Chaiman, dubbed ''Zidane'' in Thailand, turned defenders inside out as the co-hosts almost made it through to the quarter-finals.

Iraq, who have overcome extreme hardship to book their spot in the quarter-finals, boast their very own Roberto Carlos clone in shaven-headed defender Bassim Abbas.

His likeness to the Brazilian is striking, although his tendency to dive in and ask questions later is more reminiscent of former England international Stuart Pearce.

Former Uzbekistan captain Mirdjalal Kasimov made the biggest splash among the ''wannabe'' superstars at the last Asian Cup three years ago.

He may not have the pop star wife, his own logo or a collection of dodgy sarongs, but Kasimov still became known as ''Uz-Becks'' after scoring two exquisite free kicks in China.

Kasimov has taken up a role on the sidelines at the 2007 Asian Cup as assistant to Uzbekistan coach Rauf Inileyev -- and the former Soviet country have reached the last eight again.

Looks-wise, Kasimov and Beckham are worlds apart. Kasimov does not trouble the barbers of Tashkent for more than a sensible short back and sides -- no shampoo required.

But his influence over Uzbekistan is arguably more powerful than Beckham's ever was while he was England captain, even though the 36-year-old no longer graces the Uzbeki midfield.

The Thais claim to have their own ''Zico'' in Kiatisak Senamuang, Japan have a Gennaro Gattuso in Keita Suzuki and even tiny Bahrain have a Pele up their sleeve, the artist otherwise known as Husain Ali.

The Asian Football Confederation promised big-name players and they have delivered -- in a round-about way.

REUTERS SAM KP1454