Neither side have previously reached the last four of the continental competition but Australia can boast appearances at the last two FIFA World Cups as well as a host of players plying their trade all across Europe's top leagues.

But reputations hold no weight with Abramov, who himself can call on the likes of former AFC Player of the Year Server Djeparov, Odil Akhmedov and Alexander Geynrikh to plot the Socceroos' downfall.

“My team has many experienced players,” he said.

“This may be our first time in the semi-finals but they've played many big games before. Australia is a good team but they are not Brazil. Uzbekistan can play.

“I know Australia can play but I explained to our players that we need to play football and then we have a chance.

“Before we came to this tournament I told all of Uzbekistan that we're going to win this tournament and that still stands. Why not? Japan beat Argentina, why can't Uzbekistan beat Australia? Everyone has the same chance before the start of game. It's 50/50.”

Uzbekistan will also look to avenge two defeats suffered during qualification for the 2010 World Cup.

“Australia are much better now but in the qualification games we made many mistakes,” Abramov added.

“We're now concentrating on this game. I believe we can play very well and we can beat Australia.”

Akhmedov echoed his coach's sentiments but underlined it is Abramov's unwavering belief in his players that has helped them to within two games of Asia's ultimate accolade.

“I'm very happy that we have qualified for the semi-finals of this Asian Cup but we're not going to stop here,” he said.

“We're going to go to final to win the cup. The main thing is that our coach told us before the tournament that we can beat many teams in Asia. We had the belief that we could do it and now we're here in the semi-finals. We worked hard and now we'll do our best.

“We know the Australian team very well and we're not afraid of them. All the semi-finalists are strong and if we were a weak team, we wouldn't have got to the semi-finals.

“Iraq and the other teams had many chances against them but failed to score. I think we can do that better and beat Australia.”