HONG KONG - DAVID Beckham pressed his claims for an England recall with an impressive individual performance as LA Galaxy crashed on penalties to a South China invitational team here on Sunday.

Beckham slotted a last-gasp spot-kick to level the match 2-2 and converted again during the shoot-out, but could not prevent Galaxy from slumping 5-4 on penalties in their final Asian tour match.

He has one more chance to impress England coach Fabio Capello, a pre-season match in Dallas next week, before the March 26 friendly against France when he is hoping to win his 100th cap.

Beckham showed no effects from a minor injury picked up in Shanghai as he lasted the full 90 minutes without mishap, despite being sent sprawling by a clumsy challenge late on.

In a dominant first-half display, he provided chance after chance from the right only to hold his head in frustration as Greg Vanney glanced one of his trademark crosses wide on 20 minutes.

Striker Carlos Ruiz and Peter Vagenas also spurned opportunities provided by the former England captain, who had an eventful opening period with a shot saved and a 30-yard free-kick going into the wall.

But it was South China who went ahead just before half-time as stocky centre-forward Detinho's toe-poke dribbled over the line.

Super-sub Alan Gordon pulled Galaxy level on 61 minutes, seconds after he came on, with a simple finish after Michael Gavin's incisive through-ball.

South China looked on course for the win when Troy Roberts handled in the box on 90 minutes, with Li Haiqiang converting the penalty.

But Ely Allen was hacked down deep into injury-time, allowing Beckham to take the game straight into penalties. Defender Greg Vanney blazed over as Galaxy registered the second defeat of their three-stop Asian swing.

'We played some really good football tonight, some good possession football,' Beckham said. 'We kept the ball well. If we'd put our chances away we would have been three or four up.'

The 32-year-old has struggled with injuries since his high-profile Galaxy move and he was overlooked by new England coach Capello for his first game in charge last month.

But Capello has said he may personally visit Beckham in Dallas to check his fitness, adding the midfielder was 'in contention' for Paris.

Galaxy lost in Seoul and won in Shanghai on a mixed tour for new coach Ruud Gullit, who had some sharp words for his team at half-time here.

'It's a little bit disappointing because we played so well and didn't win,' he said. 'But it was overall a good day at the office. I'm glad they responded the way they did.' -- AFP

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