The tournament hosts were in emphatic form in Sunday's one-side quarter-final with the prolific Persians' high-pressure strategy paying dividends against an out-of-sorts Australia, as a Reza Karmollachaab double (35th and 90+3) and goals from Saeid Ezatolahi (31st pen), Mohhadreza Bazaj (61st) and Ali Rigi (81st) outlined Iran's status as the clear favourites in Wednesday's semi-final with the Uzbeks.

But Doustimehr, who led Iran to glory at the 2008 AFC U-16 Championship, is far too an experienced campaigner to let complacency creep into his side.

"We played very well against Australia but we must not get too proud of ourselves and we will prepare ourselves well for the game against Uzbekistan," said the 47-year-old, who is coaching at this tournament for the fourth time following campaigns in 2010, 2008 and 2004 when the competition was at under 17 level.

"We will prepare well and we will do what it takes to win this championship in our own country.

Victory on home soil will be a great source of pride for Doustimehr and his young charges, who, the coach explained, are focussing firmly on achieving something for the country rather than the potential individual benefits success would bring.

"We have spoken many times with the players and we said that there might be the possibility of some reward or some money from the Federation if we win. But like all Iranians the players are passionate about their country and they said they are not playing for money but for Iran."

Iran's semi-final against Uzbekistan kicks-off at 1700 Tehran time at the PAS Stadium on Wednesday.