By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
In the almost-empty Hongkou Stadium in Shanghai, China due to ``host'' North Korea's ``malicious'' high-price ticket tactic, South Korea drew 1-1 with the North in its opening match in the final qualifying rounds for the 2010 World Cup, Wednesday.
Huh Jung-moo's side conceded the lead on a penalty to its Northern neighbors in the second half, but Ki Sung-yueng equalized six minutes later.
With the tie, the two Koreas have drawn in all four of this year's meetings _ two others in the World Cup preliminary qualifiers and one in the East Asian Championship.
Adding one point to its tally, the North leads Group B with four points, while the South has one.
The North Koreans pulled off a 2-1 surprise away win over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Saturday.
The Taeguk Warriors, who are seek a seventh-straight World Cup berth, will play the UAE on Oct. 15 at Seoul World Cup Stadium.
Contrary to expectations, Huh picked Cho Jae-jin as the team's lone striker with Kim Chi-woo and Choi Sung-kuk on the flanks after Shin Young-rok and Lee Chung-yong were ruled out, both suffering from muscular pain in their right thighs.
The South Koreans, who have been under pressure due to their sluggish offense in the World Cup preliminary rounds, were still plagued by a lack of execution.
In the 13th minute, Oh Beom-seok's cross was denied by North Korean goalkeeper Ri Myong-guk, followed by Kim Dong-jin blasting a left-footed shot from just outside the area into the right side netting.
The only decisive moment came in the 39th, when Choi, of the Seongnam Chunma, connected with an Oh cross on the turn from inside the box, which was saved by Rie.
Late in the first half, Huh's side, perhaps wary of the North's defense seemed content to rely on ineffective mid-range shots, which sailed high over the bar.
Meanwhile, North Korea showed no signs of a fitness disadvantage from their win Saturday, mustering up numerous counterattacks.
On the 18th minute, winger Kim Yong-jun's threatening mid-range blast was punched clear by South Korean goalie Jung Sung-ryong. Eleven minutes later, captain Nam Song-chol back-heeled the ball to Mun In-guk, who slipped it to the onrushing Hong Yong-jo, who wastefully shot wide.
After the break, Kim Jong-hun's North Korean squad increased the pressure on its Southern neighbors.
A Jong Tae-se through pass 13 minutes into the second half put Mun in a one-on-one with goalie Jung but he failed to convert. Two minutes later he again failed to score in a clearly open position.
The pressure paid off in the 63rd minute when Hong Yong-jo converted the penalty he earned himself.
However, just six minutes later South Korea equalized when Ki struck home from inside the box.
The FC Seoul midfielder chested down a Kim Do-heon pass and rifled home a right foot shot off Ri's hand into the lower left hand side of the goal.