Madrid, Jan 25 (IANS): The Chinese national football team continued its pre-season preparations with a game against top Swiss side FC Basel in the Spanish city of Marbella but lost 1-2.

The reigning Swiss champions, who are currently second, have also reached the knockout phase of the Europa League, were always going to be tough for Jose Antonio Camacho's side, reports Xinhua.

In a game watched by Guangzhou Evergrande coach Marcelo Lippi, Basel took an early lead through their Chilean international Marcelo Diaz.

The Chinese players were working hard but struggling against a team that has already played half of its domestic season. Eighteen minutes into the second half Frei Fabian, Swiss international midfielder, scored Basel's second goal of the game.

It was looking tough for China but Gao Lin, who plays for Guangzhou, pulled a goal back eight minutes later to give them hope of getting a draw, although Basel were able to hold on for a narrow 2-1 win.

China will now play a friendly game in Oman Jan 30 before starting their qualification matches for the 2015 AFC Asia Cup, with that campaign kicking off away to Saudi Arabia a week later.