Hosts Australia swept into the quarterfinals of the Asian Cup in some style on Tuesday with a 4-0 hammering of Oman at Stadium Australia that ensured South Korea would go through from Group A with them.
Midfielder Matt McKay and striker Robbie Kruse struck inside three minutes just before the half hour mark, Mark Milligan converted a penalty on the stroke of halftime and striker Tomi Juric added the fourth in a one-sided second half.
Having beaten Kuwait 4-1 to open their campaign last Friday, the Socceroos have a healthy advantage in goals-scored over the South Koreans and will just need a draw to win the group when the teams meet in Brisbane on Saturday.
More than that, though, Australia showed enough against a team that has caused them problems in the past to suggest their ambitions should not be confined to reaching the last eight for the third straight tournament.
Australia midfielder Massimo Luongo, man of the match against the Kuwaitis, played only 50 minutes but contributed to both of the first two goals and Kruse could have had a hat-trick on another night.
Oman had the first shot on target in the third minute, Raed Saleh’s raking half volley from outside the penalty box drawing an athletic save from Mat Ryan and confirming the goalkeeper’s strong form.
