Lee Jeong-Hyop scored what proved to be the winning goal just after the half hour mark to ensure the Socceroos - who had been in blistering form in their opening two matches - will face a tough quarter-final with China.

The result was Australia's first defeat on home soil since 2011 and means the Koreans will face either three-time winners Saudi Arabia or Uzbekistan in the last eight.

In the other match in the group, Oman edged out Kuwait with a tight 1-0 win thanks to Abdulaziz Al Muqbali's 69th minute strike in what was effectively a dead rubber, with both teams' elimination already confirmed.

Australia harboured hopes of capping off a superb tournament with the point that they needed to win the group against a Korean side who had failed to light up the competition to date, but their aspirations were dealt a blow on 32 minutes.

Ki Sung-Yueng slipped the ball through to Lee Keun-Ho and his driven effort towards the far post was tapped in by Jeong-Hyop.

Substitute Robbie Kruse nearly bagged a dramatic equaliser but his effort was well saved by Kim Jin-Hyeon ©Getty Images



Up until that point, the Koreans had barely threatened but for all their dominance, the Socceroos couldn't quite draw level, although Nathan Burns was unfortunate to see his effort hit the side netting just four minutes after the hosts had fallen behind.

Needing only a draw to top the group, Australia came out with renewed vigour for the second half, and they perhaps should have restored parity eight minutes after the restart but Tomi Juric's steered shot from six yards cleared the crossbar.

Korean 'keeper Kim Jin-Hyeon had to be at his best to deny Burns, and he then defected a close-range effort shot from substitute Robbie Kruse in the dying embers of the contest to ensure his side progressed with a 100 per cent record.