South Korea beats UAE 2-0 to advance to World Cup

Dubai: South Korea have advanced to the 2010 World Cup, beating United Arab Emirates 2-0 after first-half goals from Park Chu-young and Ki Sung-yeung.

South Korea leads Group B of Asian qualifying with 14 points from six matches, three ahead of second-place North Korea, which has played an extra game.

South Korea went ahead in the fifth minute when Park collected a pass from Lee Chung-yong and beat goalkeeper Majed Naser with a left-footed shot.

It was 2-0 in the 37th after Naser had dived to stop a deflected shot going for a corner, only to divert the ball and allow Ki to tap it into the net.

The only save South Korea goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae had to make was in injury time.

In another group match, North Korea drew 0-0 with Iran.