With most of the senior players staying at home, the three-day competition in Haikoi gives the 23-year-old defensive midfielder a chance to test his leadership skills on the pitch.

It’s also a taste of what’s in store if the 2017/18 Premiership and Grand Final runners-up get a play-off spot for the AFC Champions League.

The invitational tournament will see the Jets take on Beijing Goan, Shanghai Shenhua and reigning A-League premiers, Sydney FC starting Friday.

Ugarkovic says he welcomes being thrown in the deep end so early in pre-season.

“We enjoy playing games more than training,” he said. “Speaking for myself and I know a few of the boys, everyone loves to play games.

“The best way to get fit is to play as many games as you can. By playing games you’re going to get that team cohesion position-wise with new boys coming in. That’s the best way to learn off each other in game situations when the pressure’s on.

“A lot of the squad (going to China) is young and it’s going to be a good chance for us so-called older players to step up and show our leadership on and off the field and to take that next step.”

Ugarkovic, who started every league game for the Jets last season, said the team was over the heartbreaking 2018 Grand Final loss to a Melbourne Victory offside goal.

“The atmosphere around is great at the moment and I think it will stay like that,” he said.

“It’s continued on from last year. There was a disappointing ending to the year but I think the team morale and atmosphere is great.

“There’s a big bulk of the squad that’s stayed, so we’re looking to continue of what we did last year stick together and do one better.”

Jets coach Ernie Merrick has big wraps on Urgarkovic. Leading into the season decider Merrick spoke to FourFourTwo about the reliability of the player: "(He's and) extremely hard-working and talented who I've no doubt will progress through the ranks."