China never got going against Japan last time out, but the score was only 2-0 at the interval, with the hosts then finding the back of the net five times in the second half to make it a 7-0 match.

There is pressure on Ivankovic's team to bounce back in their second match in Group C, and they are bidding to compete in the finals of a World Cup for just the second time.

China were present in the 2002 competition, being eliminated in the group stage, but they have not been able to qualify since, winning only seven of their 18 matches in their attempt to secure a spot in Qatar two years ago.

The Dragon Team were also beaten 1-0 by South Korea on June 11 but managed to advance from the second round of qualifying courtesy of their second-placed finish in Group C.

China have won seven, lost seven and drawn six of their previous 20 matches against Saudi Arabia, while the two teams played out a 1-1 draw when they last locked horns in a World Cup qualifier in March 2022.

Saudi Arabia have lost just one of their last eight matches against China in all competitions, including a 3-2 success during qualification for the 2022 World Cup.

The Green Falcons would have been expecting to open their Group C campaign with a win over Indonesia, but they found it tough on Thursday and had to come from behind to secure a share of the spoils in a 1-1 draw.

Saudi Arabia, who are now managed by Roberto Mancini, have been present in the last two World Cups, being eliminated in the group stage on both occasions.

The national side reached the last-16 stage of the competition back in 1994, but they have not managed to make it out of the groups since, so it would be some achievement if Mancini could secure qualification and then lead a charge into the knockout round of the 2026 tournament.