Soccer: Phoenix up for Aussies despite loss

Phoenix skipper Andrew Durante scored during his side's 2-3 loss to Guangzhou Pharmaceuticals. Photo / Getty Images

The Wellington Phoenix head to Australia confident despite a narrow loss in a pre-season match in China.

The Phoenix were beaten 3-2 by Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Pharmaceuticals in Changsha, with British striker Chris Greenacre scoring his first goal in Phoenix colours and captain Andrew Durante also getting on the scoresheet.

The loss came after the Phoenix's 2-2 draw with Tianjin Teda in the opening game of their two-match visit to China.

They now head to Australia for their final pre-season match against A-League rivals Central Coast Mariners in Dubbo on Saturday.

Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert used the match against Guangzhou to give all members of his squad some game time and was pleased with the two trial strikers - Brazilian Anderson Potty and Chinese under-23 international Jiang Chen - who took part.

"Overall, it was a good opportunity for us to take a close look at the two triallists in a game context against very competitive opposition," Herbert said. "Jiang, in particular, was very good and showed he definitely has the potential to do well in the A-League."

The final pieces of the recruitment jigsaw are slotting into place with confirmation that former Millwall, Sheffield United and Crystal Palace striker Paul Ifill would join the Phoenix on a two-year deal.

Initially going down 1-0 on the 30-minute mark, the Phoenix hit back after the break when former Tranmere Rovers marksman Greenacre scored his first goal for the Phoenix in the 56th minute.

Guangzhou snatched the lead back, capitalising on a mistake by keeper Reece Crowther from a free-kick. However, the Phoenix levelled in the 81st minute when Durante nodded in Costa Barbarouses' cross to level the scores in the 81st minute.

With time almost up, Guangzhou secured the win with a goal from an unstoppable free-kick.

- NZPA