Preview: China poised to fight for breakthrough at Asian Cup(2)

Since taking the post, Perrin gradually convinced the players with ten games unbeaten in a row. However, he clearly knew the good results from friendlies couldn't prove they can play the same level in big tournament.

"Today we got a big victory, but it was just a warm-up. It is different from a real match. I also knew China usually played better in warm-ups," said he.

The concern should alert the Chinese players. Affected by the lower competitive level of the domestic league, China always found it hard to seize a foothold in midfield facing their opponent's high-pressing surge.

Zheng Zhi, the 2013 Asian Player of the Year, can bolster the midfield with his nearly three season experience at the English club Charlton Athletic. But he could be specially marked by one or two from the opponent, which means China need a "Plan B" to move the ball fast from the back four to the front. That is a tough test.

Apart form 34-year-old veteran, Perrin gave more chances to new faces in his 23-man squad, which is aged averagely only 24.4, the youngest in Asian Cup history for Chinese national team.

The roster also includes the winger Hao Junmin, who made 14 league appearances for Germany's Schalke 04 between 2010 and 2011. He could support the strikers with his movement and pass from the flank.

The recombined central defence is another test for China. Feng Xiaoting, the first-choice centre-back, failed to convince Perrin to get an Australia ticket. His partner, Zhang Linpeng, needs to pair with Ren Hang or some other young defender to lead the back line. Time is not short for them to accommodate each other.

Despite they are not the favorite, Chinese players are eager to prove themselves. To fight for every 90 minutes is what they want.

"Keeping a low profile to fight for every match," said the winger Yu Hai, who was placed as the lone target man and scored in the warm-up victory on Saturday. "In this kind of tournament, each match is a do-or-die battle. We need to fight one by one."