News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Home  » Sports » North Korea qualify for World Cup

North Korea qualify for World Cup

June 18, 2009 10:08 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

North Korea qualified for their first World Cup finals since 1966 after holding Saudi Arabia to a 0-0 draw on Wednesday.

The visitors finished the game with 10 men and defending against a wave of attacks but held firm to join South Korea, Australia and Japan as Asia's four automatic qualifiers for South Africa 2010.

North Korea finished runners-up to South Korea in Group Two while Australia and Japan went through from Group One.

Third-placed Saudi Arabia, bidding for their fifth successive appearance in the finals, advanced to the Asian playoffs with Bahrain, third in Group One.

The two teams meet over two legs in September with the winners progressing to a home and away playoff against Oceania winners New Zealand in October and November for a place in South Africa.

With Saudi Arabia needing to win to gain an automatic place, the hosts made all the early running at the King Fahd International Stadium.

They kept North Korea under pressure with a series of shots at goal but were unable to capitalise on their chances, even when the visitors were reduced to 10 men when Kim Yong-jun was sent off in stoppage time.

North Korea's only previous appearance at the World Cup was in 1966 in England when they reached the quarter-finals.

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

India In Australia 2024-2025