The former AFC Asian Cup top scorer has set progression to the tournament's knockout stage as the minimum objective for his side, who have ended 2018 in rich vein of form.

China PR and Thailand also discovered their group stage opponents ahead of next year's global Finals, with a number of mouth-watering fixtures decided in the French capital.

With Korea Republic to appear in the competition's opening match, Japan and Australia both set to resume recent rivalries and China PR and Thailand drawn against former world champions, the ceremony was a memorable one for Asian sides.

The Continent's five qualified teams were all represented at the draw in Paris, and key figures from each shared their thoughts on the challenges ahead at next year's Finals.

Semi-finalists in 1995, and runners-up four years later, China PR were once among the teams to avoid in a Women's World Cup draw, but the Steel Roses are now considered to be among the global game's second-tier nations.

But, while progression beyond the quarter-finals has eluded the national team since 1999, the current generation of Chinese players have shown signs of genuine improvement, particularly since the arrival of Jia as head coach in May.

A breakout star and creative force in AFC Women's Player of the Year Wang Shuang, a miserly defence which has conceded just twice in 12 matches since August, and consistent goals from Wang Shanshan and Li Ying have all contributed to a steady rise in form and confidence.

Their current world ranking of 15th may suggest otherwise, but China PR remains a team many should hope to steer clear of when the draw is made on Saturday.

Crowned the AFC Women's Player of the Year 2018 on Wednesday, Wang Shuang said the award has motivated her to aim higher.

"This is just the beginning. I am highly motivated after winning the AFC Player of the Year award.

"There is still so much to do and I will take it step-by-step," said Wang Shuang upon returning to her club Paris St Germain.

Alen Stajcic’s charges will return to the United States of America (USA) in April 2019 for an international friendly against hosts USA at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado.

Australia and the USA – who will both feature at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France – have played 28 international matches since their first meeting in 1987, and last met at this year’s Tournament of Nations at Pratt & Whitney Stadium in Connecticut in July.

For the first time in their history, sixth-ranked Australia are expecting to be among the seeded teams when the official draw pots are revealed on Friday, with Alen Stajcic's charges hoping they can avoid the type of 'group of death' they have endured in a number of recent major tournaments.

Their rise to become one of the world's top half-dozen sides has included memorable scalps - none more so than the historic 2017 win over defending World Champions the United States - and has seen Sam Kerr emerge as one of the world's best players.