Portugal-based winger Wei Shihao is adamant that China still have far to go to match their ambitions at the AFC U-19 Championship ahead of Friday's quarter-final with Qatar despite the former champions advancing to the knockout stage undefeated.

Boavista wide-man Wei was the key figure in China's opening day win over eventual Group C winners Japan, netting a penalty and a stunning free-kick either side of Takumi Minamino's equaliser, and he also played an important role as Zheng Xiong's side drew with defending champions Korea Republic and Vietnam.

But with China set to face Group D winners Qatar at Wunna Theikdi Stadium on Friday, 19-year-old Wei is keen to help his nation extend their stay in Myanmar, whilst also looking to secure a place in the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup with victory over the West Asians.

"To simply pass to the knockout stage is far below our expectations. That was the minimum. Our goal is to get at least to the semi-finals and get into the World Cup," said Wei, who joined Boavista in 2013 after eight years at the youth academy of Chinese Super League side Shandong Luneng.

"We have had a little experience already playing against Qatar, as we faced them in August in a friendly tournament in Seville. We drew that game 1-1, but I only played 20 minutes as I was injured.

"The next match against Qatar will be very difficult, I'm sure, but I think we have what it takes to win."

Although Wei, who made his professional debut in Portugal's Primeira Liga last month, was unable to add to his goals against Japan in the subsequent Group C ties with Korea Republic and Vietnam, his winner against their regional rivals in the tournament opener is one that will live long in the memory.

After converting from the spot in the very first minute of the Matchday One tie following Hayao Kawabe foul, Wei's next big moment from a dead-ball situation was 13 minutes from the game's end, and a further 14 yards away from goal.

"I already thinking about the place I was going to put it as soon as the referee awarded the foul: the top left-hand corner," said Wei, whose sublime strike curled over the Japan wall, past goalkeeper Kosuke Nakamura, and, just as he planned, underneath the intersection of left-hand post and crossbar.

"For the Boavista youth team I was the designated free-kick taker and the coaches there took a lot of time working with me on them, so dead-ball situations are my specialty and I'm responsible for them for the national team, too.

"That match and result was really important for our team as the three points – the only one who got in the group games – helped us get to the knockout stages."

Qatar, though, do have their own dead-ball specialist in Ahmed Al Sadi who leads the scoring charts with four goals in three games, a tally which included an equally impressive free-kick scored against Iraq in the group stages.

"Yes, I know Qatar also have a good free-kick taker in Al Sadi, he's got good technique, but I think I'm better than him when it comes to set-pieces, and we'll be the ones to come out on top in the game on Friday too," said Wei.

Either former champions DPR Korea or Japan await China or Qatar in Monday's semi-finals, while Thailand will take on Uzbekistan and hosts Myanmar will face the United Arab Emirates in Friday's remaining quarter-finals.

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