Australia 2-0 United Arab Emirates
Australia will face South Korea in Saturday's Asian Cup final after beating United Arab Emirates 2-0 in the second semi-final on Tuesday.
First-half goals from defenders Trent Sainsbury and Jason Davidson gave the Socceroos victory at Hunter Stadium in Newcastle.
Australia, runners-up in 2011, will seek to win their maiden Asian Cup title when they play two-time winners South Korea in Saturday's decider at the ANZ Stadium in Sydney.
Left-back Sainsbury ensured Australia got off to a flyer when he headed the Socceroos in front from a third-minute corner.
UAE, who beat four-time winners and reigning champions Japan to reach the last four, responded well after going a goal behind and Ahmed Khalil hit the post from 15 yards out in the 10th minute with Australia goalkeeper Mathew Ryan well and truly stranded.
But Australia doubled their advantage four minutes later when centre-back Davidson slotted home after a defensive mix-up in the UAE penalty area to earn his first senior international goal.
The rain lashed down in the second half but that did not dampen UAE's quest to get back into the match and Khalil was marginally wide with a long-range effort six minutes after the interval.
Australia went close to adding to their tally in the 71st minute but midfielder Massimo Luongo could only shoot wide.
Right winger Ali Mabkhout was denied the chance to pull a goal back for the UAE in the penultimate minute by Sainsbury's timely tackle and Australia played out the remaining minutes to book their place in Saturday's final.
