( CNN ) -- Tim Cahill scored twice as Australia opened their Asian Cup campaign with a convincing 4-0 win over India in their Group C match in Doha Monday . South Korea , like Australia one of the favorites to win the tournament , later beat Bahrain 2-1 to join the Socceroos at the head of the standings . Everton star Cahill opened the scoring in the 11th minute as he netted at the near post after a fine cross from Brett Emerton . Galatasaray 's Harry Kewell doubled the advantage with a fine long-range strike midway through the half , his 14th goal for the Socceroos . Emerton laid on the third just before halftime with another cross from the right which was met by the head of Brett Holman . In-depth guide to the Asian Cup . India battled hard to limit their losses , but Cahill added the fourth after the break as he rose well to head home his second from a pinpoint cross by Luke Wilkshire . It was a convincing start for Holger Osieck 's men , who fluffed their opening lines with a goalless draw in their first appearance in the Asia Cup four years ago against Oman . They also lost to eventual winners Iraq before going out to Japan on penalties in the quarterfinals . `` It was very important to get a good start , to find our rhythm , to get a performance together , '' Osieck told AFP . Rank outsiders India , coached by Englishman Bob Houghton , are making their first appearance in the Asian Cup for 27 years and looked out of their depth against an Australia team with several English Premier League regulars . South Korea were given a stiffer challenge by a battling Bahrain side but a double from Koo Ja-Cheol either side of halftime gave them a comfortable advantage they could have increased . However , there was a tense finish to the contest as Korea had Kwak Tae-Hwi sent off after bringing down Abdulla Al-Dakeel inside the penalty area . Faouzi Aaish netted from the spot and the match ended with the 10-man Koreans under pressure before securing three points and revenge for a defeat to Bahrain in the 2007 competition .
NEW : 10-man Bahrain beat India 2-1 in their English Cup opener . Tim Cahill scores twice in opening in earlier victory for South Korea 's Socceroos . Socceroos and Brett Holman also on target in 4 -0 win over India . Australia and South Korea among the favorites to win the tournament .