亚洲杯:中国队准备迎战东道主澳大利亚

China will face host Australia in an AFC Asian Cup quarter-final match today. The Chinese squad is in fine form having won all three of its group matches to finish top and reach the knockout stage.

China’s preparation has not been perfect though, with doubts about captain Zheng Zhi's participation in the clash in Brisbane, and defender Zhang Linpeng is battling a calf problem and was not at yesterday's training session.

Alain Perrin's men have already played twice at Brisbane Stadium during the Asian Cup, winning on both occasions. Sun Ke has been the star of China's Asian Cup campaign, scoring three goals, including two in his last start against the DPRK. Sun plays his club football at Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Sainty; in 2011, one of his teammates was Australia defender Alex Wilkinson.

"Of course, Wilkinson used to be my teammate for almost half a year. I think he is a very good player, stable and very experienced. We do not care who we play against. We just want to do what we can do, and perform to our best. In tomorrow's game, we will fight from the first minute to the last," Sun said.

"Zhang Linpeng is the key player in our defensive system, but he has an injury. He is still unable to train with our team. We will wait until the last minute tomorrow, and then we make our final decision," Perrin said.

Australia captain Mile Jedinak is all but certain to return to the line-up against China. The Crystal Palace captain has missed the last two games with an ankle injury but has trained this week and believes he will be able to play. Matthew Spiranovic is the only player missing for Australia. The Western Sydney Wanderers defender is suspended after picking up two yellow cards at the group stage; Alex Wilkinson is expected to start in his place.

Jedinak said: "Obviously, yes sitting out the last couple of games hasn't been easy for myself. As a player and captain of this team, you want to input as much as you can and get involved on the pitch. It's given me a little bit of time to see what other ways I can help. I tried to help out as much as I could before the games and in the preparation.

“You know it's going to be a different challenge tomorrow (January 22) night; we know that. The importance of the game and what sort of a threat China do pose. But I think it's one that I know myself, I'm really looking forward. Do I think that I will be affected by a lack of game time in the last couple of games? Probably not, but maybe that's just me. We will have to wait and see."

South Korea will play Uzbekistan today in Melbourne. The unbeaten South Koreans are yet to concede a goal.

Friday, Iraq will face Iran in Canberra. Iran, the highest ranked Asian team according to FIFA, showed impressive form in the group stage and has yet to concede a goal. The United Arab Emirates will be up against the defending champion Japan in Sydney. The Japanese team is favorite; its superstar Keisuke Honda has scored in every match.