Mixed emotions: Ante Milicic plots Matildas downfall

The 51-year-old Australian has been in charge of world No.17 China since May, 2024, and he has the nine-time Asian Cup champions on the cusp of making another final.

Milicic still has close ties to a number of Matildas players, but those links will be put on hold come Tuesday night.

"I'll always follow the Matildas from afar, not only them with the national team, but their players at their clubs," Milicic said on Monday.

"I had great memories from my time there, but ultimately I'm enjoying this journey now with China. 

"I'm a better coach, better person, and I'm just really looking forward to the occasion, more than anything. 

"To be able to lead China here tomorrow night against Australia at home in a semi final - that's a dream."

Australia boast plenty of attacking firepower led by the likes of Sam Kerr, Mary Fowler and Caitlin Foord.

Even veteran defender Alanna Kennedy - playing as a defensive midfielder - has been a massive attacking menace with five goals for the tournament.

Milicic is wary of the threat they all pose, but he also wants to see his team throw their own attacking punches.

"These forward players of Australia can unlock a game at any time through their own individual class or combination," Milicic said. 

"So we understand tomorrow defensively, we're going to have to be very strong. 

"But at the same time, we can't come into the mindset of just thinking how we will contain Australia's attacking threats. 

"We've shown that going forward, we can also cause difficulties for the opposition, and so we definitely have to get that balance right tomorrow night."

China needed extra time to defeat world No.40 Taiwan 2-0 on Saturday.

It means China have had a bigger workload and one day less to prepare for the semi-final compared to Australia, who beat North Korea 2-1 on Friday night. 

China will also be without star veteran Wang Shuang, who has been suspended for an accumulation of yellow cards.