Griffiths dancing with the stars

The former Central Coast midfielder is having the time of his life since he left the Mariners to try his luck in the Chinese Super League with Guangzhou R&F.

Griffiths said he has no reason so far to regret his move, especially after taking part in two high-profile matches featuring some of the biggest names in world football.

A week after helping his side beat World Cup winner Lippi's Guangzhou Evergrande 1-0 in a spectacular derby, Griffiths was involved in another high-profile match at the weekend featuring three former Premier League stars.

Griffiths's Blues, with striker Yakubu Ayegbeni leading the attack, faced Anelka's Shanghai Shenhua in a home match that marked the Chinese debut of ex-Chelsea marksman Drogba.

It was a drawn match Griffiths would not forget in a hurry and which brought home to him the giant strides he has made since he was plying his trade in the A-League less than a year ago.

”The game had a surreal feel about it, actually,” Griffiths said.

”Every time Drogba touched the ball our own fans went berserk as if we had just scored … and that was just in the warm-up.

”During the match the 20,000 crowd shouted more when he got the ball than when we scored. It was a weird experience.

”Anelka played the whole match while Drogba came on at the start of the second half.

”Drogba is such a tall guy and Anelka is a big fella too. I didn't realise they were that big.

”They have such quality and confidence and Drogba's arrival will help Anelka.

”After coming on, Drogba hit this unreal free kick which is his trademark.

”When he hit that shot I remember saying to myself 'wow, that was pretty good'.

”It's hard to think about these things during a game but afterwards it all started to sink in.

”What a difference to where I was a while ago.

”Yakubu is a top professional and a very good bloke as well.

”His arrival has given me somebody to talk to, as well.

”We needed him in our team because we did not have a proper striker.

”He stays up there and holds the ball up for us.

”He scored our winner in last week's derby against Evergrande who had (former Borussia Dortmund striker) Barrios in their line-up too. The game had 40,000 people.

”I've only been here five months and already I'm playing with and against such top players and I'm loving it.

”I just hope that these guys stick around long enough and do well here because if that happens other stars will follow.”

Griffiths, who left the Mariners in the middle of the last A-League season, said he was beginning to get used to the different football culture in China.

”I was a bit anxious when I arrived here because my knowledge of the game in China was very limited,” he said.

”But I understand their football much better now. It's a lot better than I anticipated so for me it was the right thing to do to come here. I've got no regrets.

”Generally I'm beginning to come to grips with how it all works in China.

”The last four weeks have been the best I've played since I came here.”

Griffiths said the cashed-up Super League was providing aspiring Australians with better opportunities to improve their careers.

”The situation here is much better than what it was two or three years ago,” he said.

”I believe that the clubs should give their Asia spot to an Australian player who will bring more physicality to the game.

”I would definitely advise lots of other Australians to come here if they had the opportunity.”