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Asian Cup Preview: Australia v China

Australia midfielder Massimo Luongo believes Brisbane hosting Thursday's Asia Cup quarter-final against China will work to his team's advantage.

The Socceroos missed out on a Melbourne quarter-final against Uzbekistan after losing 1-0 to South Korea at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.

And the Socceroos now know they will face reigning champions Japan in the semi-finals if both win their last-eight clashes. 

But despite the Brisbane surface being condemned, largely for playing havoc with Australia's possession-based style, Luongo was focusing on the positives of playing there again.

The Swindon Town midfielder has been the find of the tournament for Ange Postecoglou's side and said: "Conditions [on Saturday]… they were obviously a bit hot and people say the pitch [was not good], but it's nothing we haven't experienced before.

"We've got an extra day [of rest] on China and we're used to the climate here.

"We're used to the pitch already, we've played there, and there's no fuss [this week] about travelling or moving to a different hotel.

"Everything's in our favour at the moment and hopefully we can show that."

And while all three were introduced, Australia lacked cutting edge, as Postecoglou's selection gamble back-fired. 

With three goals in two matches, China's Sun Ke looms as their biggest threat, while captain Zheng Zhi will have a crucial role to play in midfield.