The former Dutch star knows China face a different ball game against the three time champions as he looks to steer his team into their first Asian Cup final since 1984.

China's group was seen as the easiest of the four in the tournament and while Iraq showed pluck and courage in their 3-0 quarter-final loss to China on Friday, they are not in the same league as Iran.

A 2-2 draw against Bahrain, a 5-0 walloping of a lowly 10-man Indonesia and a scrappy 1-0 win against a rudderless Qatar were not the most convincing of performances.

Haan would do well to heed the words of South Korean coach Jo Bonfrere, who is under no illusions about Iran's capabilities after seeing his team lose 4-3 in their quarter-final in Jinan on Saturday

"You cant compare Iran with the Arab teams," said Bonfrere.

"Iran are much more powerful, they will fight harder and are stronger."

Haan acknowledged the mammoth task he faces when the two teams meet in Beijing's Workers' Stadium on Tuesday.

"Iran is a very strong attacking team but that doesn't mean we will want to think about defence," he told reporters.

"We cannot play like South Korea. We must have a more attacking form to win."

Much rests on the shoulders of veteran striker Hao Haidong, whose goals have been vital for China in recent months.

While Hao failed to go the distance against Iraq, Haan said his only injury worry was defender Wei Xin and his team would likely remain unchanged, meaning Manchester City's Sun Jihai will be on the bench for the fifth straight game.

The shining light of the tournament for Haan has been German-based midfielder Shao Jiayi whose piercing runs into the opposition half and uncanny knack of popping up in the right place have been a revelation.

Alongside Zhao Junzhe, the pair have turned into a formidable midfield duo and if they can dictate the action against Iran then China could emerge victorious.

But Haan knows nothing can be taken for granted against a team that has staged a remarkable turnaround from its early tournament troubles that saw three players suspended for fighting and stamping against Oman.

Coach Branko Ivankovic has restored discipline, and confidence in the Iranian camp is running sky high after their sensational win against World Cup semi-finalists South Korea.

"They had a lot of problems and faced them and became mentally very strong," said Haan. "So we know they are very strong mentally and physically."

The pragmatic Ivankovic said that while his team has shown remarkable spirit, they would need a little luck against China.

"He (Haan) is a very smart man and I know he will prepare his team well," said the experienced Croat, who led Iran to a gold medal winning victory over Japan in the 2002 Asian Games.

"If I want to beat him, I will need a little luck."

If China want to be making waves in Saturday's final instead of treading water in Friday's third place playoff they will have to find a way to shut down Ali Karimi, Iran's hat-trick scorer against South Korea.

"Ali Karimi is one of the best players in Asia, and he has proved that to everyone," said Ivankovic, and warned that last year's Asian Player of the Year Mehdi Mahdavikia was also on awesome form.

With defensive stalwart Yahya Golmohammadi expected to line up with Ali Badavi and Rahman Rezae, again available after serving suspensions for slapping each other in the match against Oman, China will need everything Shao and Hao have to offer.