Korea Closes Out Qualifying Undefeated
By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
South Korea wrapped up its Asian qualifying round for the 2010 South Africa World Cup with an unbeaten record Wednesday.
Manager Huh Jung-moo's side drew 1-1 with a desperate Iran in its eighth and final qualifier of Group B in Seoul.
The already-qualified home side allowed the Iranian team to take command of the game after Masoud Shojaei scored a goal early in the second half, but national team skipper Park Ji-sung equalized with nine minutes remaining.
Adding one point from the indecision to its tally, the Koreans finished with a 4-4-0 record and 16 points.
It is the second time for the Taeguk Warriors to close out World Cup qualification undefeated.
In the 1990 Italy World Cup qualifiers in 1989, Korea finished with 9-2-0.
In addition, the national team has extended its unbeaten stretch to 24 ― 11 wins and 13 draws ― since Huh's first match, a loss to Chile in January 2008. The two teams have a record of 8-7-8 against each other overall.
For the Iranians, who needed to win to secure qualification for the quadrennial event, they failed to earn an automatic ticket with a 2-5-1 record. The winner of the match between North Korea and Saudi Arabia will secure the last slot of the four Asian automatic qualifications. A win by the North allows Iran a playoff spot.
They were to play each other at 3 a.m. Thursday (KST).
After a flurry of exchanges, the Korean squad had the advantage 10 minutes into the game.
Midfielder Ki Sung-yueng's mid-range free kick sailed over the crossbar in the 12th and Park Chu-young threatened with a bullet shot after taking back a pass from Lee Keun-ho.
Lee's shot on the turn also flew over the bar.
However, midway through the first half, Iran capitalized on the slippery turf, looking to speedy, mid-range shots.
Ali Karimi's attempt was deflected by Kim Jung-woo and fell to Javad Nekounam, but his shot was blocked by Lee Woon-jae.
Mehdi Mahdavikia also blasted a shot from outside the area ― also denied by another save from Lee.
The Korean defense, which allowed just six goals in 13 qualifiers, gave their opponents the best chances of the night.
A back pass landed with Shojaei but his shot was stopped by Lee's diving save.
However, he opened up the scoring in the 51st minute after Lee punched away a cross, which the rushing midfielder fortunately deflected into the net.
In the 66th, Park Chu-young unleashed a bending free kick, but it hit the crossbar.
In a bid to maintain their unbeaten record, Korea continued attacking and saw a payoff nine minutes from time.
Park, the Manchester United winger fired home from a narrow angle between the goalie and the post for his 11th goal at the international level after a pick-and-roll play with Lee Keun-ho.