China set to meet Australia in AFC Under-20 Asian Cup group stage

Tournament hosts China are preparing to meet their third opponents, Australia, later on Tuesday, in a top-of-the-table showdown in Group A at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Under-20 Asian Cup in Shenzhen.

China sealed a place in the knockout phase after Saturday's 5-2 win over Kyrgyzstan, but head into this game with midfielder Liu Chenyu, who scored in the home side's wins over Qatar and Kyrgyzstan, suspended due to yellow card accumulation.

Yi Mulan, Yan Xi, and Wang Yifan each have one yellow card, and could be substituted out depending on the score.

In the quarterfinals, China will face Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, or the DPRK from Group B. Although the hosts started with back-to-back victories, problems were still noted in their defense, so that element will be a key focus against the Aussies and in the knockouts.