North Korea qualified for the World Cup finals for the first time since 1966 as their goalless draw in Saudi Arabia was enough to see them join South Korea in the 2010 tournament in South Africa.

The North went into the final day knowing that a victory would ensure qualification to the finals next summer, however South Korea's 1-1 draw at home to Iran meant that North Korea just had to avoid defeat in Riyadh to take the second automatic qualification spot.

North Korea found themselves under a lot of pressure throughout most of the match, and though they were reduced to ten men following the sending off of Kim Yong-jun deep into injury time, they were able to hold fast for the point they required to secure second spot and send Saudi Arabia into the playoffs.

Earlier on in the day an 81st minute equaliser from Manchester United's Park Ji-sung gave South Korea a 1-1 home draw with Iran after Kim Dong-jin's own goal six minutes into the second half had given the visitors the lead.

South Korea and North Korea join Group A qualifiers Australia and Japan in the 2010 tournament, whilst the two third placed sides, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, will play off for the right to face New Zealand for a ticket to South Africa.

Wednesday June 17th 2009 Results

South Korea 1-1 Iran
(Park Ji-sung '81; Kim Dong-jin OG '51)

Saudi Arabia 0-0 North Korea

Group A
Australia 20pts (+11)
Japan 15pts (+5)
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Bahrain 7pts (-3)
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Qatar 6pts (-9)
Uzbekistan 4pts (-4)

Group B
South Korea 16pts (+8)
North Korea 12pts (+2)
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Saudi Arabia 12pts (0)
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Iran 11pts (+1)
UAE 1pt (-11)