If indeed Australia do beat the United Arab Emirates in Newcastle on Tuesday night – as the football world, rightly or wrongly, is largely expecting – they'd better not count their chickens before the final.

South Korea, unbeaten in this tournament, and having yet to concede a goal, will be a mighty combatant. Australia shouldn't need any reminding. They lost to the Taeguk Warriors 1-0 in Brisbane.

Of course, the UAE could spring a huge surprise on the Hunter, but even then, the Koreans' case for success is strengthened. They've been the most disciplined and structured side at this tournament, perfectly complementing their fabulous individual talent, headed by captain Ki Sung-yueng and the wonderboy himself, Son Heung-min.

They advance to the decider flush with a full deck and are the first team to get there without conceeding since 1976. You wouldn't expect anything less from a team coached by an iconic German player, Uli Stielike.

Australian ears won't want to hear this in the afterglow of the national day, but the Reds would make for a worthy champion this weekend.

Whatever the final match-up will be, the Koreans will try to stuff their opponent into the meat grinder. They did it with Iraq in Sydney on Monday night in front of a 36,053-strong crowd dominated by expatriate fans at ANZ Stadium.

At least 20,000 will be wearing red on Saturday, most of them clutching thunder-sticks and supporting with their enthusiastic – borderline hysterical –high-pitched squealing that greets every forward thrust. They certainly won't be vocally outmuscled by Australia, should it be the Socceroos they indeed face.

Granted, Iraq had their moments; the Lions of Mesopotamia will always fashion up the unlikliest of chances. Sometimes it brings results – it did in 2007 and it did against Iran last week. But they could just never get it going here when it mattered most.

In truth, Radhi Shenaishil's side probably played their final in Canberra. That incredible match with Iran, perhaps the best in Asian Cup history, sapped them of their physical and emotional strength. Throw in the Iranians' unsuccesful appeal and it's not hard to see why they were that bit flatter this time around.

The player in question concerning the appeal, Alaa Abdul-Zahra, started in his usual place in attacking midfield. After a few sleepless night this past weekend, it's no wonder he looked a little fatigued.

Both teams played the same 4-2-3-1 formation, the go-to set-up these days for most countries in big matches. It allows men behind the ball and sufficient wide support for counter-attacks. In other words, safety first.

And for the first 15 minutes, it worked for Iraq, never the most tactically savvy unit. Instead, they were undone by a set piece.

Lee Jung-hyup will get the goal and the plaudits in Seoul but it was Kim Jin-su's wicked free-kick that did the damage. Hit low and hard from out wide, it curled ominously and only needed a touch to go in. That's where Lee came in.

Perhaps sensing at half-time his side needed another goal to secure the result, midfielder Han Kyo-won was taken off in favour of Lee Keun-ho, the free-scoring forward. It would mean Lee Jung-hyup would get extra support in attack.

But who needs strikers when you've got defenders like Kim Young-gwon? A high, hopeful ball into the box was chested down by Lee Jung-hyup and Kim lashed a fierce boot at the ball. Salam Shaker's deflection left Jalal Hassan watching helplessly as the ball bobbled into the net.

Regardless of how spent they must have been, Iraq kept trying to force the issue. But their attempts were either hindered by poor decision-making or general recklessness. Basically, the opposite of Korea's intelligent game plan and measured approach.

Watching on in their hotel room on the Newcastle waterfront, Ange Postecoglou and his coaching staff will have been busy taking notes on their prospective opponent late into the night. They'll wake up to a lengthy list.