More than 1,500 people turned out to watch a Phoenix XI take on a Christchurch-based Chinese side at Newtown Park.

Organised by the Chinese club in conjunction with Wellington City Council and Phoenix’s Chinese player Gao, the game was staged to raise money for relief efforts and to raise awareness of the devastation caused by an earthquake and aftershocks in Sichuan province.

Regular Phoenix players Gao, Andrew Durante, Michael Ferrante, Jeremy Christie, Mark Paston and Brazilian Daniel were joined by several media personalities and Yellow Fever duo Michael Greene and Adam Brown.

Phoenix chief executive Tony Pignata also pulled on a pair of boots and might yet earn himself a deal with Ricki Herbert’s men for the new season.

The home side showed its class, with big striker Pignata and Greene each scoring twice in the 6-2 win. Gao also netted for Phoenix (and also for the Chinese side after swapping shirts at half-time), with Ferrante also finding the back of the net.

Gao was delighted with the event. He told Phoenix’s official website: “My Chinese friends and I wanted to do something special to help those people affected by the earthquake at home. I am happy that so many people came to support the cause."

Proceeds from the event will be handed to Chinese embassy officials and added to the relief fund.

Phoenix recently had to cancel plans to visit China for a pre-season tour. Pignata said: “We’re now working hard to arrange a couple of trips in the coming weeks.

"It is disappointing for the club that we can’t go to China but we really have to extend our sincerest sympathies to the Chinese people in the wake of this natural disaster.”