Australia are flying high at the Asian Cup but cannot afford to be complacent as they ppare to face a tricky UAE side for a place in the Sydney final on January 31.
Sydney (dpa) - Hosts Australia aim to continue their run at the Asian Cup Tuesday when they face the United Arab Emirates in the semi-finals but their opponents are aiming to take another notable scalp.
Australia finished runners-up in Group A meaning their semi-final takes place in Newcastle, in one of the smallest stadiums used in the competition, rather than in Sydney.
But with the expected opposition, holders Japan, falling to the UAE in a penalty-shoot out, suddenly the path to the final seems to be opening up.
The team are not taking anything for granted and forward Robbie Kruse has warned a tough challenge awaits the Socceroos.
"They've just knocked off the reigning champions and they've put in some great performances in this tournament," he said. "But if we stick to our game-plan, the result will be in our favour."
A notable aspect of Australia's progress so far has been the willingness of coach Ange Postecoglou to rest and rotate his players with virtually no one guaranteed a starting spot.
And a fired-up Postecoglou hit back at critics who questioned his job security had the team suffered a defeat to China in the quarter-finals.
"The only challenge I see is that I'm continually having to say the same story and it's frustrating the hell out of me because people can't see what I see in this team," he said.
"Well, I think the supporters do, the fans understand that this is an exciting team.
"We started something 14 months ago and I reckon we've stuck to that plan.
"The only challenge I see is making sure that the players in the dressing room don't limit their potential by listening to a lot of the crap that comes in from the outside."
But two goals from talisman Tim Cahill against China silenced the debate about the coach and kept the home bandwagon rolling.
The UAE reached the last four courtesy of that surprise over Japan and having caused one shock, they see no reason not to produce another.
"Now that we have reached the semi-final, we want to go on and reach the final," defender Mohanad Al Enezi said.
The win over Japan was characterized by resolute defending and a considerable slice of luck but the UAE have pviously shown they are capable of attacking with style.
Ali Mabkhout is the tournament's joint top scorer with four goals and the 24-year-old Al Jazira forward is on a high having ended November's Gulf Cup at the top of the scoring charts.
"Being top scorer at the Gulf Cup gave me confidence and I want to do my best in this competition as well," he said.
Mabkhout is often supplied by the talented Omar Abdulrahman, a skillful playmaker who is being targeted by various European clubs. But there is slight concern of Abdulrahman who was reportedly seen limping at the UAE's training session on Saturday.
