(XINHUA)

Soccer player Sun Ke (right) of the Chinese national team celebrates with his teammate after scoring the second goal for China during a match against Uzbekistan in the Asian Cup in Brisbane on January 14.

China beat Uzbekistan 2-1 in the match, in its second straight win at this year's Asian Cup. Four days prior, it defeated Saudi Arabia 1-0.

The two victories have guaranteed China a place in the quarterfinals, representing the first time since 2004 that the country has reached the tournament knockout stages and whipping Chinese fans up into a frenzy.

The Asian Cup is held every four years. This year's matches are being held in five Australian cities--Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane and Newcastle--from January 9 to 31.