Asian Cup 2015: China buy extra support against Socceroos as billionaire comes to party

CHINESE billionaire Xu Jiayin is digging deep into his sizeable pockets to ensure Team Dragon has plenty of support against the Socceroos on Thursday night.

Fans of China cheer during their Group B football match against North Korea in the AFC Asian Cup in Canberra on January 18, 2015. AFP PHOTO/Peter PARKS --IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE

CHINESE billionaire Xu Jiayin is digging deep into his sizeable pockets to ensure Team Dragon has plenty of support when they to try spoil the Socceroos’ Asian Cup party at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night.

Chinese fans will be out in force on Thursday night.

The real estate mogul and co-owner of heavyweight Chinese club Guangzhou Evergrande has bought 5000 tickets for the game.

Courtesy of Xu, whose estimated wealth last year was $7.5 billion, the tickets will be distributed free, along with red “Go China!” shirts, outside the ground before the start of the match.

He hopes it will lead to a sea of red in Suncorp Stadium to counter the green and gold of Australia that will dominate the stands.

The match was all but a sell-out on Wednesday night, with close to 50,000 fans expected for the Socceroos’ second game in Brisbane in less than a week.

Australia’s 1-0 loss to South Korea last Saturday night condemned them to second spot in Group A, ensuring they would remain in Brisbane for their quarter-final.

Zheng Zhi is an important part of the Chinese team.

China, who have already played twice at Suncorp Stadium during the tournament, topped Group B with a perfect record of nine points from three matches,

But despite their superior group form, China are rank outsiders to beat the Socceroos.

China coach Alain Perrin is happy with the underdog tag, saying anything his team could achieve from now on would be a bonus.

Having only qualified for the tournament as the best third-placed team and having failed to reach the quarter-finals at the previous two Asian Cups, China were tipped by many to again not progress past the group stages.

But under wily Frenchman Perrin, whose team includes 2013 Asian player of the year Zheng Zhi, China have finally stood up.

“Our first target was to (progress) from the group stages, so now everything is a bonus for us,” Perrin said.

“It’s a pity because we (finished) first in the group and we play the best second-placed (group) team at the Cup.

“But we have to play the game and we have to give our best to try to make something.

“This kind of competition is an opportunity for the players to show what they can do. It’s a good chance for them to show their quality.”

Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: China buy extra support against Socceroos as billionaire comes to party