Dubai, Jan. 12 -- China and South Korea made it to the knockout round of the Asian Cup on Friday, while defending champion Australia stayed alive by rebounding from a stunning opening defeat.

China secured a spot in the round of 16 with a comfortable 3-0 win over the Philippines in Group C, while South Korea advanced in the same group by defeating Kyrgyzstan 1-0.

Australia put its 1-0 opening loss to Jordan in the past by routing Palestine 3-0 in Group B.

China star forward Wu Lei scored two superb goals - a curling right-footed shot into the top corner in the first half and a volley in the second - against a Philippines squad making its Asian Cup debut.

Yu Dabao added the third with a header a few seconds after entering the match lat...