Australia beat South Korea 3-1 at the AFC Women's Asian Cup Group B match on Friday.

After a goalless first half, Australia started at a fast pace in the second and opened the scoring in the 52nd minute as defender Kim Carroll scored from Heather Garriock's corner, shortly before forward Lisa De Venna's powerful shot went into an empty net in the 59th minute.

Australia enlarged their lead to 3-0 when substitude Samantha May Kerr's tight-angle shot went into the bottom left of the goalmouth in the 65th minute.

South Korea narrowed the gap in the 70th minute when defender Kang Sun Mi headed in her teammate's cross.

Australia now lead Group B with six points and have already qualified for the semifinals, while hosts China will take on Vietnam later the day.

Australia missed their best chance before the break in the 37th minute when Kathryn Gill's short-range shot from Lisa De Vanna's pass flew over the crossba.

South Korea also missed their chance in the 56th and 67th minute as forward Jling Hae In's shots went narrowly wide.