Kuala Lumpur: China PR have nothing to fear despite being drawn alongside Germany, Spain and South Africa in next year's FIFA Women's World Cup, according to head coach Jia Xiuquan.
The former AFC Asian Cup top scorer has set progression to the tournament's knockout stage as the minimum objective for his side, who have ended 2018 in rich vein of form.
"We are still behind Germany and Spain, but the gap can be narrowed and we have possibilities of beating them," Jia told the Xinhua news agency in Paris.
"There is no so-called superiority or inferiority in the draw. All 24 teams have their reasons to appear on the World Cup stage and can be quite competitive. That's why I was not exposed to any emotion after the draw.
"Firstly, we expect to march through the group phase. After that, marching every step further is without doubt better. We hope to make into the top eight or top four, but that can be expected only through our hard work."
China PR have wasted no time in preparing for their FIFA Women's World Cup opponents, embarking on an extensive month-long training camp in Australia, with Jia set to join the rest of his staff following his departure from the French capital.
The trip down under - which is not expected to feature any 'A' international fixtures - will see the 1999 Women's World runners-up participate in up to 10 matches against local sides, starting with a closed friendly against W-League outfit Canberra United on Thursday.
Canberra are coached by a veteran of three FIFA Women's World Cups, Australia's Heather Garriock, who said her players are looking forward to challenging themselves against the world's 15th-ranked side.
“We’re really excited for this match and the test it presents us,” she said.
“It gives us the chance to play against a new team, a different style and maybe try out some combinations and ideas that we want to give a go to.”
China PR will be without AFC Women's Player of the Year Wang Shuang, who will remain in France, where - with Jia in attendance - she played a key role in Paris Saint-Germain's 3-1 win over city rivals Paris FC on Sunday.
The Steel Roses' FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 campaign gets underway against world number two Germany in Rennes on June 8.
Photo: FIFA via Getty Images
Source: the-afc.com