A comfortable 2-0 win saw the Socceroos come out on top the last time the two sides met in Guangzhou in March as preparation for the recent Asian Cup, in which Australia were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Japan while China failed to make it past the group stage.

Football Federation Australia chief executive officer Ben Buckley stressed the game, along with next month's clash with Argentina, would be crucial to the Socceroos' build-up for their first Asian World Cup qualifying campaign next year.

"Australia's qualifying for the 2010 World Cup starts in February next year and this match is vital to our preparations as we start the journey to South Africa," Buckley said.

"China were finalists at the 2004 AFC Asian Cup and will provide strong opposition.

"We have two crucial matches with the Qantas Socceroos also playing Argentina in Melbourne on September 11 and these games will give the fans a great opportunity to see the national team in action."

Football Family members can expect to have access to tickets from late August, prior to ticket sales becoming open to the wider publicfrom in early September.