Tasnim Iran national football team coach Carlos Queiroz says they need to play with a killer instinct against their rivals.
Iran booked a place in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup quarter-finals thanks to a 2-0 win over Oman at the competitions Round of 16.
Title-chasing Iran survived a first-minute penalty in a chaotic start.
Team Melli goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand saved from the spot before goals from Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Ashkan Dejagah in Abu Dhabi sent Iran through to face China.
Its the first time in my life one team has conceded a penalty in the first minute, Queiroz told AFP.
We need to play with a killer instinct. Its important to kill the game when you have the opportunity, added the former Real Madrid boss.
Football is a hell of a job for players and coaches to be honest with you, Queiroz stated.