Despite having become well acquainted with EAFF East Asian Cup opponents Korea Republic and Japan in recent years, the Socceroos will take on the Chinese for the first time in over five years in their final match of the tournament.
Despite having become well acquainted with EAFF East Asian Cup opponents Korea Republic and Japan in recent years, the Socceroos will take on the Chinese for the first time in over five years in their final match of the tournament.
The EAFF Cup will be new Chinese coach Fu Bo-s first chance at silverware after former manager, Juan Antonio Camacho, was sacked.
The Spaniard's departure came after his side failed to make the 2014 World Cup and then went down to Thailand 5-1 in the team-s first qualification match for the 2015 Asian Cup set to be held in Australia.
As is mostly the case with their opponents, the Chinese will field a side exclusive of players within their domestic league - the Chinese Super League.
The 23 man squad is dominated by back-to-back league champions Guangzhou Evergrande who have contributed seven players to the side.
The Chinese will have their first look at the Socceroos since they took all three points in a 1-0 victory midway through 2008 in a FIFA 2010 World Cup Qualification match at Sydney-s ANZ Stadium.
The 100th FIFA ranked nation will open their campaign against Japan on July 21 before playing hosts Korea Republic on July 24.
In what is likely to be a clash that could hand either the Chinese or the Socceroos the 2013 EAFF Cup title, the sides finish the tournament matching up against one another on July 28 (6:15pm AEST).
All of Australia's matches at the EAFF East Asian Cup will be shown live on Fox Sports.
Squad
Goalkeepers Zeng Cheng [Guangzhou Evergrande], Yang Zhi [Beijing Guoan], Geng Xiaofeng [Shandong Luneng]
Defenders Zhang Linpeng, Sun Xiang, Rong Hao [Guangzhou Evergrande], Sun Ke, Liu Jianye [Jiangsu Sainty], Du Wei [Shandong Luneng], She Ke [Hangzhou Greentown]
Midfielders Huang Bowen, Zheng Zhi [Guangzhou Evergrande], Wu Xi [Jiangsu Sainty], Zhang Xizhe [Beijing Guoan], Yang Hao [Guizhou Renhe], Li Xuepeng [Dalian Aerbin], Wang Yongpo [Shandong Luneng]
Forwards Gao Lin [Guangzhou Evergrande], Qu Bo [Guizhou Renhe], Yu Dabao [Dalian Aerbin], Yang Xu, Han Peng [Shandong Luneng], Wu Lei [Shanghai East Asia]