By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
South Korea has advanced to the World Cup for the seventh straight time after beating the United Arab Emirates (UAE) 2-0.
In a Group B qualifier in Dubai on Sunday morning (KST), AS Monaco striker Park Chu-young and Park's former FC Seoul teammate Ki Sung-yeung each scored in the first half.
Sitting on 14 points from four wins and two draws, Huh Jung-moo's side is three points ahead of runner-up North Korea, which had a scoreless tie with Iran earlier the day, and punched their ticket to South Africa next year regardless of two remaining games.
Korea became the third nation to reach the 2010 tournament following Japan and Australia in Group A.
``This is a fantastic win,'' Huh said after the game.
``Our first objective was to win this match and I am happy we managed to do just that. We now have two home games left, and we are going to try and win both.''
With the victory over the Middle East nation, the national team has maintained its 22-game non-losing streak _ 11 wins and as many draws _ since it fell to Chile 1-0 in Huh's first game.
The Korean outfit faces Saudi Arabia and Iran on Wednesday and June 17, respectively, at Seoul World Cup Stadium.
Park, 23, gave his side an eighth-minute lead after he chested down a pass inside the area from Lee Chung-yong and fired home for his 11th goal at the international level.
The Taeguk Warriors sealed the victory in the 37th.
UAE goalie Majed Naser, who had made two saves two minutes before, dived to collect a pass from Mohamad Qassim, but failed to hold on to the ball and unmarked Ki tapped in the rebound.
Four minutes into the second half, South Korea were outnumbered after midfielder Kim Jung-woo was dismissed after receiving his second yellow card, but substitutes Cho Won-hee of Wigan Athletic and Kim Dong-jin of Zenit St. Petersburg played well enough to offset Kim's ejection.
The Korean players demonstrated the potency of its attacking play, pinning the opponents in their own half, but failing to extend their lead.
The home side had the best chance of the night in stoppage time, but veteran goalkeeper Lee Won-jae deflected a Mohammed Al Shehi shot.
Meanwhile, the 54-year-old Huh disclosed his desires of North Korea advancing to the World Cup with the South.
``I personally hope that North Korea can qualify with us to the finals because it will be the first time in World Cup history,'' he said.
Both North Korea and Saudi Arabia have notched 10 points, but the neighboring rival is second on goal difference by two.