19.01.2015 02:56 h

Football: China's Zheng injury scare for Australia clash

China's hopes of prolonging their Asian Cup run and upsetting Australia in the quarter-finals have been dealt a blow after captain Zheng Zhi went down with a back injury.

The former Celtic and Charlton Athletic midfielder, who hurt his back in Sunday's 2-1 win over North Korea and was substituted after 53 minutes, faces a race against time to be fit for their clash with the hosts on Thursday.

China finished with a perfect three wins out of three in Group B, but Zheng's absence was plain to see once he left the pitch in Canberra as North Korea began to take control, almost snatching an equaliser with a shot against the bar.

"The reason he left the pitch was because he told me he had picked up a little problem in his back," China coach Alain Perrin told reporters. "I hope it's not that bad."

The 2013 Asian player of the year is one of China's most successful footballing exports and the 34-year-old's calming influence is crucial to his side's chances of winning a first Asian Cup.

China have twice finished runners-up, most recently as hosts of the 2004 tournament when they were beaten by Japan in a controversial final in Beijing.

"Zheng Zhi is very important for the team, a key player," said Frenchman Perrin. "He is a good organiser in midfield and a very experienced player.

"We realised after Zheng Zhi left that we had had some problems, we had some trouble organising the midfield," he added. "It's obvious that if the key player's not here we have difficulties during the game."

Sun Ke continued his hot streak by scoring twice to take his tally for the tournament to three as China picked up their third win in a row for their best start ever to an Asian Cup.

"I take a lot of satisfaction from the fact we have won three matches," said Perrin. "Playing against Australia, as host team, will be very difficult for us.

"But after three very, very difficult matches, we've got a new record for Chinese football -- we have nine points in the group stage."

Perrin warned his players against a backlash from the Socceroos after they were beaten 1-0 by South Korea in their final group game on Saturday, giving them an extra day's rest.

"We have one day less recovery time than Australia, and we also need to spend one day on a trip from here (Canberra) to Brisbane," said the former Portsmouth manager.

Both Perrin and Australia manager Ange Postecoglou have been scathing of the Brisbane pitch.

"The pitch there is not very good," said Perrin. "But we have to play the match there -- I think it's a pity for a knock-out stage game."