Asian soccer greats have installed debutant Australia as the favourite for the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, even before the draw is announced.

Fan Zhiyi, who played 109 internationals for China and was the Asian Football Confederation's Player of the Year in 2001, believes Australia and not two-time finalist China will lift the Cup next year.

"After my generation retired, not many promising young players have emerged in the Chinese team," said Fan, addressing reporters in Kuala Lumpur on the eve of the Asian Cup final draw.

Fan said Australia was a strong team with a "good chance to win."

Sixteen national teams will play in the July 7-29 tournament in Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia. The final will be hosted by Indonesia.

Fan said "the entire environment of Chinese football is not very good," and cited problems in the coaching and administration of the team.

"As an ex-national team player, I wish them all the best and hope they reach the final, but I don't think China can reach the final because they are so young," said Fan, who is best remembered for playing a key role in China's qualification for the 2002 FIFA world Cup."

China was the runner-up at the last AFC Asian Cup in 2004, as well as in 1994.

Addressing the news conference with Fan were Khodadad Azizi, a former Iranian striker, and Kim Joo-sung, an ex-player for South Korea.

All three agreed Australia was the hot favourite.

"Australia have one of the biggest chances to be the champ," said Azizi, who became a national hero after scoring the equaliser against Australia in the second leg of the FIFA World Cup qualifier in November 1997, sending Iran to France for the 1998 World Cup.

Australia topped Group D and were the first to qualify for the finals, followed by Bahrain.

The AFC Asian Cup has been won by Saudi Arabia and Japan three times each since 1984. This time Saudi Arabia is expected to have a strong showing, having scored the highest number of 21 goals in the qualifiers.

Teams that have qualified are Japan and Saudi Arabia, with 15 points each, Iran, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Australia, Bahrain, Iraq, China, Qatar and Uzbekistan. The four host teams were given automatic berths.

Tuesday's draw, which will determine the groups in which the teams will be slotted, will be telecast live to a television audience expected to number 250 million households.

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