An elephant plays soccer with Thai students in Ayutthaya province, 80 km (50 miles) north of Bangkok, Thailand June 22, 2006. The match was held to campaign against the soccer-gambling during World Cup 2006.

Eleven elephants, each one's back painted with different national flags and carrying a rider, faced off against 11 human players for an afternoon designed to convince fans that soccer is about fun and not gambling. Sports gambling is illegal in Thailand but widespread nonetheless.

Police said Thursday that since the start of the World Cup on June 9 they had arrested some 440 people in Bangkok alone for illegal betting, amounting to almost 200 million baht (US$5 million; euro4 million) in wagers.

"We are campaigning against gambling during the World Cup because it leads to other social problems, debt as well as crimes," said Wiwat Harmontree, vice president of Rajabhat University, which organized the match at Ayutthaya about 70 kilometers (45 miles ) north of Bangkok, along with the Ayutthaya Elephant Palace and Royal Kraal.

The elephant representing England had the name "Beckham" scrawled down its hind leg _ a tribute to national captain David Beckham.

Players were dazzled by the powerful punts and penalty kicks of the pachyderms.

"It's very difficult," said one player, Kriangsak Nachawee, a university student. "When the elephants had the ball, it was quite risky to attack ... I could end up in a hospital."

But the two-legged side held its own.

After two 20 minute halves, the match ended in a 3-3 draw.