With the exception of their group stage defeat against South Korea, goalkeeper Mat Ryan believes the Socceroos have ticked every other box in this Asian Cup and are perfectly placed to take the next step in Tuesday night's semi-final against the United Arab Emirates.

Ryan has been the last line of a defence that has only conceded two goals in four games, a far cry from the leaky rearguard at the World Cup, where Australia shipped three goals in each of their three group matches.

While public expectations of Asian Cup success have increased exponentially since Japan were beaten on penalties by the UAE last Friday, Ryan says the Socceroos have only ever been focused on their next opponent.

"It's always been our objective to win this tournament and to be on the way to achieving that is a nice feeling. Our own expectations from day one were to win it, and we can't control who we play - so for me nothing's changed within the squad [with Japan out]," he said. "We still have to go out there and beat two more teams to be crowned champions of Asia, so all we're focusing on is the UAE.

"You have to respect the UAE for overcoming Japan - now we have to overcome them."

This semi-final in Newcastle will be the third clash between the two teams and their previous two matches have ended in scoreless draws, including a recent friendly in Dubai just three months ago.

"They're a difficult opponent, and they've had some inclusions [since October] - I think a number of their notable players didn't play then. It was difficult over there with the conditions, and though it won't be as hot here it'll still be a difficult game," Ryan said. "They've got some nice structure, you saw that against Japan the other night - Japan couldn't break them down on more than the one occasion.

"But in football there's no easy games. In everyone's eyes it would have been Japan that went through but football's a funny game sometimes."

For Ryan, he's using this tournament as a chance for redemption after the World Cup, a tournament where - by his own admission - he didn't quite meet his own meticulous standards.

"I don't like to rate myself. I know when I've had a good game or could do better. The tournament's still alive so I'll give a rating on myself after it's finished," he said. "I've just been enjoying my football since a bit of a difficult time at the World Cup. The Asian Cup isn't quite at the same level, with all due respect to who we're playing.

"I wanted to kill it at the World Cup but it wasn't meant to be. So at this tournament I've tried to relax and play on my instincts a bit more, not over-thinking things like maybe I did at the World Cup."

While Ryan is only 22, he's already an integral part of the squad and the defensive connections among himself and the back four have completely meshed as coach Ange Postecoglou had hoped.

"The more you're involved with the team the more relaxed you become and you get on with the boys," he said. "They respect you for the job you're doing - previously maybe there were times when I was talking to the boys and felt a bit of a fresh face.  This tournament I feel it's gone to another level."

The Club Bruges glovesman said it was clear that the national team were now benefiting from an investment in depth during the past year.

"The depth in the squad, with everyone fighting for spots - no one's looked out of place in doing a job," he said. "You play different opposition at different tournaments but we're in better shape [than the World Cup]. It's only natural that the more games you play together the better you become. I guess we'll only be able to judge the World Cup at the next one but everything in the camp is positive."