Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer says Saturday's international against China will give Australia one of their best indications yet of where they stand ahead of July's Asian Cup.

The friendly will be Australia's first against a major Asian power since toppling Japan at the World Cup.

It will also likely be the last against one of the region's top guns ahead of the Asian Cup, with Schwarzer saying it was vital preparation for the tournament despite the team missing several first-team players.

"They're going to be a decent side especially at home, it's going to be no easy task for us," said Schwarzer.

"China is part of the Asian Cup as well... and they're going to be one of the good teams in that competition, so it will be a good indication for us to see how we come up against them.

"The result obviously is important from a team morale point of view, from the outside world as well for the public and media side of things."

The goalkeeper shrugged off a punishing travel schedule to say he will be near 100 per cent for Saturday's international.

The 20-man Socceroos squad arrived in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou late on Thursday after a three-hour bus ride from Hong Kong.

Schwarzer and Middlesbrough teammates Mark Viduka and Brad Jones had only arrived in camp a day earlier after their long-haul flight from England.

But despite admitting to some tiredness, Schwarzer said he would be fully fit come Saturday.

"Obviously you do get tired, it is quite tiring after playing a big game on Monday night (Boro's FA Cup quarter-final loss to Manchester United) and then getting on a plane the next day," Schwarzer said from Guangzhou ahead of the team's first training run on Thursday night at the game venue.

"But you learn to adjust to it all, and by Saturday I'm sure we'll be feeling close to 100 per cent and ready to go."

China has suffered a late withdrawal, with PSV Eindhoven defender Sun Xiang ruled out with a knee injury, but will still be near full strength.

England-based Sun Jihai (Manchester City) and Zheng Zhi (Charlton) arrived in Guangzhou on Thursday, with Germany-based midfielder Shao Jiayi and Manchester United's forward Dong Fangzhuo also on their way.

Schwarzer played against Sun Jihai on the weekend in Boro's 2-0 loss to Man City.

"He's been in the Premier League for a couple of seasons now and I know he's a good performer."

Schwarzer, who has set his sights on playing for the national team until at least the 2010 World Cup, said he was unaware of Viduka's intentions with the Australian set-up beyond Asian Cup.

"It's obviously been mentioned quite a lot in the last six months (whether Viduka will continue after the Asian Cup).

"He's always indicated to me that he wants to continue on but how long we've never spoken about.

"He's always said that he is as keen as ever to play for Australia."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP