Anger, scorn from Chinese football fans after Japan thrashes China 7-0 in record World Cup qualifier loss - CNA
Anger, scorn from Chinese football fans after Japan thrashes China 7-0 in record World Cup qualifier loss - CNA

Anger, scorn from Chinese football fans after Japan thrashes China 7-0 in record World Cup qualifier loss

Uuuh. Maybe China considers Japan a rival, but Japan wouldn't consider China at all. If an actual world-class team like Japan has a rival, it would be Korea. Both teams obviously well above China in rankings.
You could consider Australia a rival, but honestly the two countries and the fans love each other too much.
Similar with the UK and Germany. The UK considers Germany their big rival. Germany considers the UK... a team.
The UK doesn't compete in international football, the constituent countries of it do. Although of them, only England is even occasionally able to challenge Germany
Japan are not world-class. They're a solid team, but despite being ranked in the top 20 they're probably still considered weaker than many of the teams below them.
With that said, I always have a soft spot for countries that push players that play domestic football outside of Europe and in their own country. I've been on a Japan kick since Yu Hirakawa joined Bristol City on loan.
Aus is world class for soccer?
No. But they are at a decent level. And they are around the same level as Japan and South Korea. And all three of them are significantly above China in the sport.