The national team have been in a protracted slump since China reached the final of the 2004 AFC Asian Cup, which they hosted.

“This is a chance for China to really pull themselves together and show people that they belong among the top teams in Asia,” Zhang told the-afc.com

“I think China should start preparing soon for this tournament and show how much they have improved since the 2007 event,” added Zhang, who is also chairman of the tournament's organising committee.

China failed to go beyond the group stage of the 2007 competition in Southeast Asia and also suffered from a poor FIFA World Cup 2010 qualifying campaign.

For the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™ Finals, the Chinese have been placed in Group A with hosts Qatar, Kuwait and Uzbekistan.

“All 16 teams in the finals are about the same level so the groups are very balance,” added Zhang. “Whoever performs better on the day will succeed.”

Zhang was also full of praise for hosts Qatar after a glitzy draw ceremony at the impressive Aspire Dome in Doha.

“From the way the draw was conducted, it is clear that Qatar is a thriving country,” he said. “This is something worth celebrating in this country and around the Gulf region.”