A little less than 24 hours prior to China's quarter-final clash against Japan on Friday in Qinhuangdao, FIFA.com caught up with the hosts' coach Shang Ruihua.

While the eagerly-awaited clash of neighbours represents the first meeting between these two senior sides in a FIFA tournament, the Asian duo are by no means strangers, having locked horns with each other no fewer than 23 times in the past.

"Neither of us have anything to hide," said Shang, known as the "Father of China's women's football", a name he earned thanks to his tireless work in laying the foundations of the women's game in China, and guiding the team to the last eight in the inaugural FIFA Women's World Cup in 1991. "It is going to be an open contest."

As history shows, China boast a proud record against Japan, having chalked up an impressive 15 victories and five draws, while Japan have only three wins to show. Despite this, it is undeniable that the Japanese have been making consistent progress over recent years. In March, they posted a shock 3-0 victory over China to win their first major regional silverware, in this year's East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) Championship.

Advantage Japan
"We used to be a dominant side in Asia, but today Japan hold the advantage," Shang went on to explain. "Japan have made fantastic progress, and are among the technically strongest teams not only in Asia but also the world now, as one can see from their 5-1 thrashing of Norway in their last game."

Nevertheless, Shang was quick to point it out that the Steel Roses have strengths of their own to draw upon, something which was best highlighted in the two sides' latest meeting in June's Women's Asian Cup, when a determined China came from one goal down to run out 3-1 winners.

To spoil their game plan, we have to reduce their space and break up their passing
China coach Shang Ruihua reveals his strategy for Friday's quarter-final against Japan

"The Japanese have many talented individuals, and they are very organised. Their passing is very fluid, and they hold onto possession well. Thus, we can't let the game go the way they want. To spoil their game plan, we have to reduce their space and break up their passing with interceptions and tackles, and we should make the most of our physical edge to make up for our technical shortcomings."

Quizzed on his current expectations for the team, Shang replied solemnly: "This is the first time that the Olympic tournament has been staged in our country, so whatever we do, we will have to make sure that we display good spirit and team unity."