Goals from Matt McKay and Robbie Kruse in the space of three minutes before the half hour mark and a Mark Milligan penalty in first-half stoppage time effectively ended the game as a contest.

Australia then added a fourth on 70 minutes through striker Tomi Juric to complete a comprehensive win for Ange Postecoglou's Socceroos.

In the other match in Group A, South Korea also booked their place in the next round with an unconvincing 1-0 win against a resilient Kuwait.

Australia started the match intent on displaying the attacking prowess that was evident in their opening 4-1 victory over Kuwait, but it took them until the 27th minute to break the deadlock.

Massimo Luongo swung over a dangerous cross which was headed down by Trent Salisbury into the path of McKay, who tapped in from close range to give the hosts a deserved lead.

That goal seemed to have taken the wind out of Kuwaiti sails and the Aussies capitalised, doubling their advantage three minutes later thanks to Kruse, who controlled well before firing home past goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi.

Australia continued to go in search of a killer third and it came right at the end of the first half as Milligan converted from the spot after Tim Cahill was fouled in the area.

Juric then put the gloss on a scintillating performance when he turned the ball into the net at the back post following a tempting delivery from Matthew Leckie with 20 minutes to go.

Nam Tae-Hee was on hand to give South Korea an unconvincing 1-0 win against Kuwait as his side booked their place in the quarter finals ©Getty Images

South Korea meanwhile limped to a tepid win, although they did have to make seven changes owing to illness and injury.

The Korean players failed to sparkle against Kuwait, who grew more confident throughout the encounter but couldn't quite find an answer to Nam Tae-Hee's 36th minute opener, which proved to be the winner at a wet Canberra Stadium.

Australia and South Korea will meet in Brisbane on Sunday (January 18) with only the title of group winners to play for, and the Socceroos will finish top with a draw owing to their superior goal difference following two successive wins in which they have scored four times.

Tomorrow's action sees North Korea face Saudi Arabia at the Melbourne Stadium while China entertain Uzbekistan in Brisbane.

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