But despite their penalty-shootout victory over a side that humiliated them 3-1 at the World Cup last year, Osim warned Japan still faces a tough task to win a third straight continental title.

He retreated to the changing room after extra-time and refused to watch Japan win 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 tie in the quarter-finals on Saturday.

"I didn't see it because it was bad for my heart," said the 66-year-old Bosnian, famous for his gruff remarks.

"I don't want to die while I coach Japan's national team. I want to die in my home town, Sarajevo," he quipped.

"When I learned about the victory, I jumped for joy and almost bumped my head against the ceiling," added Osim, who led the former Yugoslavia to the 1990 World Cup quarter-finals and brought success to clubs at home and in Greece, Austria and Japan.

Japan now face either three-time champions Saudi Arabia or Uzbekistan in the semifinals here on Wednesday.

Osim said: "I believe so," when asked if the next game would be more difficult.

He also insisted he would not be content with making the semifinals because "if a coach is satisfied with results, it will stop further progress."

"But I don't mind if you write in your stories that I am satisfied," he added.

After taking over from Brazilian great Zico after Japan's winless exit from the 2006 World Cup in Germany, Osim has made his charges run hard and play flexibly to overcome their physical shortcomings with "mobility and agility."

Those tactics were evident on Saturday with the entire Japanese team working hard.

John Aloisi made the breakthrough for Australia in the 69th minute only for Frankfurt striker Naohiro Takahara to level three minutes later.

Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi proved to be the hero, blocking the Socceroos first two spot kicks from Harry Kewell and Lucas Neill, with Yuji Nakazawa scoring the winner.

"Could we have done anything better in this game?" said Osim. "It would have been much nicer if we could have finished the game without playing the shootout.

"But even if we wanted, Australia didn't let us do that."

The quarterfinal victory was "significant" as it came a year after Japan were beaten at the World Cup by Australia and Osim signed a contract as Japan coach, said Kozo Tashima, secretary general of the Japan Football Association.

But, like Osim, he did not want to see it as revenge.

"We did not see it as revenge. We will fight many times against South Korea and China as well in the future," he said.