Thailand caretaker coach Sirisak Yodyardthai has warned the War Elephants not to underestimate the Chinese side rendered somewhat toothless by the absence of their star striker Wu Lei.
Thailand and China square off at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain in the knockout (last-16) stage of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup tomorrow at 9pm (Thai time).
Wu has been in scintillating form so far this season. The striker finished as the top scorer of the 2018 Chinese Super League, as his side Shanghai SIPG lifted the title.
He started the AFC Asian Cup on a high note as well, recording a stunning brace in China's 3-0 first-round victory over the Philippines.
However, Wu sat out China's 2-0 defeat in their last Group C battle with South Korea through a shoulder injury and reports in the Chinese media suggest that the prolific forward will miss the game against Thailand as well.
Sirisak is busy telling his players not to get over-confident and start writing off the Dragons, who are coached by former Italy boss Marcello Lippi.
Sirisak said: "Although their main striker, Wu Lei, has a shoulder injury and may miss the last-16 game against us, we should not start taking it light.
"I have told the players that we must be ready for every situation and should not underestimate the Chinese at all despite Wu's absence.
"The Chinese squad is full of players who have good potential and can replace each other effectively. But I have a feeling that Wu will play against us and I already have a plan ready to handle him."
China last played Thailand in a friendly match in June last year at Bangkok's Rajamangala Stadium where Wu scored twice to hand the Dragons a 2-0 victory.
Sirisak added: "Right now, our players are in good condition.
"We have been training very hard and trying out different tactics. China are coached by Marcello Lippi so their style can't be much different from the United Arab Emirates, who are coached by Alberto Zaccheroni [also from Italy]."
Thailand, skippered by striker Teerasil Dangda, pulled off a 1-1 draw with the UAE in their last Group A outing to grab second place in the final pool table.
The War Elephants had a forgettable start to their Asian Cup campaign, suffering a 4-1 loss to India. The result prompted FAT president Somyot Poompunmuang to sack Serbian coach Milovan Rajevac and appoint Sirisak as interim boss.
The Thais rebounded with a 1-0 win over Bahrain 1-0 and the stalemate with the hosts.
Thitiphan joins Trinita
Newly promoted Oita Trinita have acquired Thailand midfielder Thitiphan Puangjan on loan from Thai League 2 club Bangkok Glass, the J-League side announced yesterday.
The 25-year-old will play for the Japanese club this year through next Jan 1. He will join Trinita after the Asian Cup, where he is on duty with Thailand.