Ange Postecoglou on Monday urged his Socceroos side to seize the chance to win Australian "hearts and minds" as they size up an Asian Cup semi-final against United Arab Emirates.

Football has long been in the shadow of more established sports in Australia, but a first Asian Cup title for the Socceroos would give the sport a massive boost.

"I think people are extremely excited about the team," Postecoglou told reporters. "That's part of the responsibility we carry in this tournament."

He added: "We knew being the hosts that the spotlight would be on us in many respects. I think the rest of the world has seen the way we have embraced this tournament. It's been fantastic."

Opening four-goal wins against Kuwait and Oman had fans in thrall, before a narrow loss to South Korea was followed by a convincing 2-0 victory against China in the quarter-finals.

On Tuesday, Postecoglou's charges look to reach a second consecutive Asian Cup final when they clash with impressive UAE, who stunned holders Japan in the last-eight.

The match at Newcastle's 23,000-seater Hunter Stadium will be the Socceroos' fourth sell-out of the tournament after two capacity crowds in Brisbane and one in Melbourne.

And Postecoglou said the semi-final, surprisingly not at one of Australia's big centres like Sydney or Melbourne, was a chance to inspire.

"Since we've got to Newcastle you can see there's been a real excitement about the team. There have been kids outside our hotel," Postecoglou said.

"It's going to be a great contest and if we come out on top I think it will leave a lasting impression particularly on the hearts and minds of the kids in Newcastle and the region."