Sun Ke scored twice to steal the show again as China defeated North Korea 2-1 in Canberra on Sunday to register their best ever start to an Asian Cup.

The in-form Sun, who netted a stunning winner against Uzbekistan, opened the scoring after just 45 seconds when he pounced on a hopeful long pass to poke the ball home.

He grabbed his third of the tournament shortly before the break, heading home a cross by full-back Jiang Zhipeng that delighted the majority Chinese crowd at Canberra Stadium.

The brace repaid Alain Perrin's decision to start the winger after his goal off the bench against the Uzbeks sent China into the knock-out stages for the first time since 2004.

China, who were already assured of top spot in Group B and a Brisbane quarter-final against Australia, have now won their first three Asian Cup games for the first time.

North Korea made it 2-1 in the 56th minute when Jong Il-Gwan's weak shot was cleared off the line by Zhang Linpeng, only for it to bounce back in off striker Gao Lin.

The Koreans, who haven't won an Asian Cup match since 1980, should have equalised just seconds later when an unmarked Jong headed over from close range.

A dogged North Korea pushed for a leveller and had a large crowd of 18,457 on their feet when substitute So Hyon-Uk crashed a powerful volley against the crossbar with 10 minutes remaining.

But after some late pot-shots and an injury-time header saved by goalkeeper Wang Dalei, China held on for a win which underlines their form ahead of the quarter-finals.