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David Beckham netted twice from the spot but the Los Angeles Galaxy's three-match Asian tour ended on a losing note with a penalty shoot-out defeat to a South China Invitational side at Hong Kong Stadium.
After Alan Gordon had cancelled out Detinho's opener, South China thought they had secured victory when skipper Li Haiqiang converted a last-minute penalty.
But Galaxy were awarded a spotkick of their own in stoppage time and Beckham made no mistake from 12 yards. He then scored the opening penalty of the shoot-out before Greg Vanney's miss proved the difference.
The 32-year-old, bidding to win his 100th England cap against France on March 26, completed the full 90 minutes as he builds up his fitness ahead of the Paris encounter.
But, his usual threat from crosses aside, the former England captain only had limited influence on a lacklustre game.
Beckham's first prominent contribution, a trademark cross from the right, was nodded wide by Ely Allen on 25 minutes after he ghosted into the box between two defenders, before the midfielder drove an effort from 25 yards straight at keeper Zhang Chunhui.
Maxwell glanced Wong Chin Hung's centre beyond the far post for South China before Galaxy came closest to taking the lead just after the half hour mark.
Beckham's low cross into the box from the right flank skipped up off the turf and the onrushing Peter Vagenas looked certain to score with a deft side-foot from the edge of the six-yard box, only for Zhang to athletically claw the ball over the bar.
Beckham then picked out an unmarked Alvaro Pires from the resultant corner but the midfielder headed horribly wide from eight yards out.
South China took the lead on the stroke of half-time when Itaparica's cross from the right eluded everyone and Detinho controlled the ball on his chest before poking home at the far post.
Sean Franklin headed wide from close range after good work in the box from Carlos Ruiz but Galaxy equalised in the 61st minute when Gavin's defence-splitting pass sent Gordon clear and the substitute coolly slotted past Zhang.
Maxwell headed narrowly over with three minutes remaining as a listless encounter drew to a close before South China were awarded a penalty with just seconds to go when Troy Roberts slipped and handled in the area.
Li made no mistake from the spot, sending Steve Cronin the wrong way. However, Galaxy were handed a reprieve when Festus Baise did exactly the same in the South China box and Beckham drilled the penalty straight down the middle.
He then found the corner of the net with the first effort of the shoot-out before Vannay blazed his spot-kick over the bar.
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