Now playing from Evergrande’s local rivals Guangzhou R&F, the midfielder said the reigning Chinese Super League Champions were one of the favourites to win the ACL.

“They are definitely the best side in China by a country mile," he said. “We were beaten 2-0 by them earlier in the season and we were poor but they were really good.

“They are one of the few sides in China with a proper structure, which I think is something that has been implemented by [Marcello] Lippi. 

“That is why I am looking forward to the match so much because you have arguably the best structured side in Australia in the Mariners against the best structured side in China.

"It should be very entertaining.”

The 25-year-old said the Mariners would need to be extremely disciplined in defence against an attack that has scored 14 goals in their six ACL matches this campaign. 

 “Their main power is in attack all of their foreign players are attackers," said Griffiths. “They have players that can score goals from anywhere.

“They try and get the ball forward as quickly as possible they are not really one for keeping the ball around the back like the Mariners do. 

“They really want it in the final third where they can let the Brazilians and the South Americans work their magic.”

The 25-year-old said Argentine attacking midfielder  Dario Conca, who Evergrande signed in 2011 for over $10 million from Brazilian club Fluminense, was the man who would pose the biggest threat to the Mariners’ hopes of progressing to the quarter finals. 

“Everything goes through him," revealed Griffiths. “He floats around the pitch playing as the attacking midfielder and he is very dangerous from set pieces.

“The two holding midfielders for the Mariners will have their work cut out for them keeping him quiet but he is not the only threat.

“On the wing they have Muriqui who is rapid and has scored a lot of goals and the Brazilian Elkeson, their striker, is a great finisher.”

Whilst they should be wary of the attacking threat posed by Evergrande Griffiths said they were not without their weaknesses. 

He added: “Their defence is not as good as their attack.

“Despite not playing well against them we still created chances and hit the bar so they are vulnerable.

“All their big name foreigners are attackers and they look a bit suspect at the back and their goal keeper is very hit and miss

“The Mariners just need to make sure they take their chances when they come, especially in the return leg in China.

“That game is going to be the real test, it is a big pitch and if they go and attack Evergrande they could leave themselves exposed and they have so many players that can punish them.”

Despite conceding that his old club faces a huge task to progress past his crosstown rivals, Griffiths said the Mariners were capable of upsetting the Chinese giants. 

“I can’t really pick it," he admitted. "My instinct is that Evergrande will probably have too much for them.

"But after the season they have had, the Mariners should be so confident - and if there is any team that could come over to China and hold them, it is going to be the Mariners.