Australia and South Korea secured their spots in the Asian Cup quarterfinals yesterday, with attention quickly turning to which of the continental favourites will top the group.

Australia’s 4-0 demolition of Oman in Sydney ensured both the Socceroos and South Korea advanced — both teams have six points from two games. They’ll meet in Brisbane on Saturday to determine rankings in Group A.

Australia is already well ahead on goal difference with eight already. South Korea has won both its games 1-0, beating Oman at the weekend and Kuwait in Canberra yesterday, albeit with a much weakened line-up.

The South Koreans finished third in 2011 Asian Cup, when Australia lost the final to Japan.

South Korea coach Uli Stielike was clearly unimpressed with his stuttering attacking lineup, which was reshuffled due to injuries and illness. Nam Tae Hee scored the only goal in the 36th minute against Kuwait, which was coming off a 4-1 loss to Australia in the tournament opener.

“With football like this, you cannot win the tournament,” Stielike said. “With a performance like today, you cannot go far in this tournament.”

The Australians, meanwhile, are playing the kind of football that coach Ange Postecoglou has been promoting since he took charge in the lead-up to the World Cup.

Matt McKay and Robbie Kruse scored goals and Mark Milligan converted from the spot to make it 3-0 at half time. Tomi Juric added a fourth after the break.

“I’m really pleased, I think the players were really fantastic tonight,” Postecoglou said. 

“They worked really, really hard and the quality of our football was really outstanding from the first minute.”