Nine of China's national team squad are reportedly overweight after a series of conditioning tests last weekend. They have been ordered to diet ahead of the country's World Cup qualifers which include playing the Socceroos this March in China.

"The excessive fat will seriously affect their mobility and speed. I hope they reduce it as quickly as they can,” said national coach Vladimir Petrovic.

According to the report, Petrovic, who is coaching the team with the assistance of China's Olympic coach and fellow Serb Ratomir Dujkovic, has a track record of being strict on fitness and weight.

The report says he relegated one striker to the bench and sold a defender for being overweight when he was managing the Chinese Super League club Dalian Shide in 2005.

China will also have to contend with Iraq and Qatar as well as Australia in their World Cup qualifiers next year.

Earlier this year, the Socceroos beat the Chinese 2-0 in a friendly in China.

"If we get through the 'group of death', I think it will be tears rather than smiles ... it will be too exciting for me," Petrovic said.