Hosts Australia will look to setup a final against South Korea with victory over UAE in the semifinals of the AFC Asian Cup in Newcastle on Tuesday.
The Socceroos sealed their place in the semis courtesy a 2-0 win over China, thanks to goals from, who else, Tim Cahill.
Cahill just keeps going on and on and on, and the veteran forward will yet again be the key for the Aussies in their match against the UAE.
"My one pet hate is putting the ball in dispute and usually that comes from when the ball's in the air or a crossing situation," Australia coach Ange Postecoglou told Grandstand. "I just hate it, it goes against everything I believe in.
"But I'm telling them to whip it in from anywhere because if it goes anywhere near him [Cahill]... I still think in the penalty box he's world class."
Cahill and the rest of the Australia attack will need to be at their best to find a way past UAE, who are an organised outfit difficult to break down.
UAE will also be buzzing from their upset penalty shootout win over Japan in the quarterfinals, and the last thing Australia will want is to become their latest victims.
"They've been a pretty tight-knit unit for a couple of years," added Postecoglou. "There's a real good bond between the coach and the players, an affinity there because he coached them at the Olympics, at the under 20s.
"We're going to have to work hard to break them down. I don't think it's a challenge that we haven't faced before, even in this tournament.
"If we're the ones who need to do the initiating, we'll sit in that space."
A big crowd is expected in Newcastle on Tuesday, with that cannot-miss-it final in Sydney on Saturday well within sight. Undoubtedly Australia would have preferred to face UAE over Japan in the semifinal, and it will be now up to the hosts to justify that favourites tag.
"I think people are extremely excited about the team," Postecoglou said. "That's part of the responsibility we carry in this tournament. We knew being the hosts that the spotlight would be on us in many respects.
"I think the rest of the world has seen the way we have embraced this tournament. It's been fantastic."
Where to Watch Live
The AFC Asian Cup semifinal is set to begin at 8 pm local time (2.30 pm IST, 9 am GMT) with live coverage in India on Star Sports 4 and Star Sports HD1. The match can also be watched via live streaming online on Starsports.com.
Viewers in Australia can watch the Socceroos take in UAE in the semifinal on Fox Sports 4 and ABC 1. The match can also be live streamed on Foxtel Play or Fox Sports Live. Catch the action in New Zealand on Sky Sport 3 or Sky Go.
Audience in the UAE can watch the game on Bein Sports or live stream the action on Bein Sports Connect. Viewers in the UK and Europe can catch the action on Eurosport or Eurosport Player, while US and Canada viewers can watch the game live on One World Sports.
