DOHA: South Korea produced another silky performance while Australia relied on its experience as the pair edged towards a possible Asian Cup final showdown by reaching the quarterfinals Tuesday. South Korea swept past already-eliminated India 4-1 to set up a last eight meeting with three-time champion Iran, meaning a fifth consecutive Asian Cup quarterfinal between the teams. “Iran is one of the powerhouses of Asian football and, in order to win the tournament, we have to beat them. That's it,” Korean coach Cho Kwang-rae told reporters. The Koreans, however, may regret the number of chances they missed at a rain-soaked Al-Gharafa Stadium as one more goal would have meant they topped Group C and set up a meeting with either holder Iraq, United Arab Emirates or North Korea who have all looked far less dangerous than Iran. However, Australia will meet whichever of the three finishes as Group D runner-up after it edged a dogged Bahrain 1-0 at a wet and windy Al-Sadd Stadium to top the group on goal difference. Bahrain finished third with three points and India, playing in its first Asian Cup since 1984, bottom with none. The Socceroos were not at their best but defended well and managed the difficult conditions better to restrict their opponents, who needed to win to advance, to long range efforts. Australia took the lead in the 37th minute after an even opening when midfielder Mile Jedinak collected a clearance and smashed a low, bouncing right-foot shot from 25 meters past Mahmood Mansoor in the Bahrain goal. It was the second goal of the tournament for Jedinak, which came shortly after Bahrain striker Ismaeel Abdulatiff, who scored four in a 5-2 win over India last time out, hit the outside of the post from an acute angle. South Korea, seeking its first Asian title since 1960, impressed in its opening two matches in Doha and was expected to easily beat India, the lowest ranked in the 16-team tournament. Ji Dong-won put the Koreans ahead after just six minutes and Koo Ja-cheol doubled the advantage three minutes later with his fourth goal of the tournament when he rounded the keeper to score from close range. Indian striker Sunil Chhetri replied with a 12th minute penalty but the Koreans struck right back with Ji's second of the game in the 23rd minute. Korea dominated the second half and could have scored at least three more, but had to settle for four with 18-year-old substitute Son Heung-min smashing home a left-foot shot nine minutes from the end after a superb through ball from Ja-cheol. Indian striker Bhaichung Bhatia, the country's most famous player, came on for the last 12 minutes after nursing a year-long calf injury. Atletico routs Mallorca In Madrid, Atletico Madrid downed Mallorca 3-0 Monday to move into the Europa League positions at the midway point in the Spanish League season. On Thursday, Atletico will look to overcome a 3-1 deficit in the second leg of the Copa del Rey quarterfinals against crosstown rival Real Madrid. Mallorca dropped to ninth with 27 points.
