Coach Lee Kwang-jong insists Korea Republic’s job is only half done after securing a FIFA U-17 World Cup berth with a 3-0 victory over AFC U-16 Championship hosts Uzbekistan in Sunday’s quarter-final.

Kim Dong-jin and substitutes Son Heung-min and Lee Chang, who were short of match fitness and unable to play a full 90 minutes, sent the 2002 winners into the final four as Uzbekistan failed to live up to the expectations of the large crowd at Pakhtakor Stadium.

But despite the convincing victory which secured the trip to Nigeria to represent Asia at next year’s World Cup along with Japan, Iran and United Arab Emirates, Lee reaffirmed Korea have their sights set on reclaiming the Under-16 title.

"We set out to qualify for the World Cup but our main objective has always been to win the tournament and that has not been achieved yet," he said.

"Both teams played very hard with a lot of effort. Both teams fought very hard. The score reflects that it was an easy game but I never once thought it was an easy game, it was a very hard game for us."

Looking forward to Wednesday’s semi-final, Lee said that he is eager to continue Korea’s impressive record against Japan.

"Japan are a country which is close to us and we know them quite well and our players have played against them a lot of times so we know them very well and also they will know us," he added.

"But I can say that we have never lost to Japan at this age group."

Uzbekistan coach Robert Gay was visibly dejected following the defeat but after thanking the home fans for their support, insisted his young side were not overawed by the occasion.

"It’s a shame we will not play again, it is hard for me to say a lot at this stage," said the Russian.

"I don’t think there was any pressure, not at all, in fact we liked it. Ayubhon Gapparov and Abdumutallib Abdullaev did not play well, that is why we lost.

"Korea are a strong team and have tough players and I think they will win the tournament." Gay had insisted four recent friendly matches against Korea would help and despite the three-goal defeat, he was pleased with Uzbekistan’s display. "I don’t agree with the score line," he added. "We did pretty well and tried hard, but our attacking players should have scored."