Two Koreas reach World Cup finals for first time

(ATTN: RECASTS headline; UPDATES with details throughout)
SEOUL, June 18 (Yonhap) -- North Korea won an automatic berth in the 2010 World
Cup finals Thursday by finishing second in its regional group after the final
qualifier.

North Korea became the fourth automatic qualifier in Asia following Australia,
Japan and South Korea.
South Korea tied 1-1 with Iran earlier on Wednesday, topping the group. It is the
first time that the Koreas, which have remained technically at war since their
1950-53 conflict, will play together in the same World Cup tournament.
South Korea first competed in the 1954 Switzerland World Cup and in six straight
tournaments from the 1986 Mexico World Cup to the 2006 event in Germany, while
North Korea participated in only the 1966 England World Cup where they finished
in the quarterfinals.
The two Korean rivals have clashed four times during the qualifying round for
next year's finals, tying three games and with the South winning 1-0 in their
last meeting on April 1.
With the scoreless draw, the North Korean team led by coach Kim Jong-hun wrapped
up the World Cup Asian qualifying round with 12 points -- three wins, two losses
and three draws -- edging its Middle East rival Saudi Arabia on goal difference.
Its unbeaten South Korean neighbor topped the group with 16 points, grabbing a
seventh consecutive ticket to the global showcase event.
During the match against the Middle East powerhouse, North Korea concentrated on
defense to ensure a stalemate. Aided by goalkeeper Ri Myung-guk's fine saves, the
team needed at least a draw with Saudi Arabia in the final match of the
qualifying round in Riyadh to secure the runner-up position.
Iran was eliminated from competition after its draw with South Korea on
Wednesday, finishing fourth.
Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, the third-place finishers in their respective groups,
will meet in playoffs in September. The winner will then take on Oceania champion
New Zealand for a berth in South Africa.
brk@yna.co.kr
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