China found some form at the Asian Cup on Monday, crushing Indonesia 4-0 to move to the top of Group B on goal difference over Kuwait, which upset joint 2002 World Cup host South Korea 1-0.
China and Kuwait now have four points from two matches, while the South Koreans, who failed to turn their second-half pressure into goals, slipped to third with one point and must now beat Indonesia on Thursday to advance to the knockout stage.
China got off to a lightning start against Indonesia at Tripoli Stadium, scoring three goals inside the first 10 minutes with captain Ma Mingyu, who plays for Italian Serie A club Perugia, orchestrating each move.
Li Ming opened the scoring with a second-minute header, before midfield partner Shen Si converted a penalty and forward Yang Chen added a third, nodding in a near-post cross with the Indonesian defense sleepwalking.
The Chinese, lucky to salvage a 2-2 draw with South Korea last Friday, were content to go through the motions after the third goal until substitute Qi Hong completed the rout with a clinical finish in the 90th minute.
Kuwait took a shock lead two minutes before halftime as striker Jassam al-Houwaidi found space just inside the box and fired a low shot past South Korean goalkeeper Lee Woon Jae, who had earlier pulled off a superb reflex save from an al-Houwaidi header.
South Korea almost equalized immediately, but Belgium-based striker Seol Ki Hyeon's close-range header cannoned back off the post.
Forward Lee Dong Gook missed a string of chances after the interval as South Korea threw caution to the wind in search of an equalizer. Midfielder Lee Young Pyo broke clear only to blast his shot high over the bar.