World Cup qualifying-standings

(LEAD) S. Korea earn fragile lead in Asian qualifying for 2010 World Cup (ATTN: RECASTS lead, 4th para to clarify N. Korean standing; TRIMS; RESTRUCTURES)

SEOUL, Oct. 16 (Yonhap) -- South Korea stand at the top of their group in the
early stage of the final Asian qualifying for the 2010 World Cup after thrashing
the United Arab Emirates 4-1 at home on Wednesday.
Enjoying four points but leading Asian Group B only in goal differentials, South
Korea are inching ahead of Iran and Saudi Arabia, who are tied at second, with
North Korea closely trailing at fourth.
The UAE, who lost all three of their qualifiers, were pushed further down to the
bottom of the group, with their prospects of a World Cup berth dimming quickly.
North Korea, who seek their first berth since reaching the quarterfinals of the
1966 World Cup, lost 2-1 to Iran Wednesday, falling to the fourth spot as they
failed to add to their four points. North Korea have tied with South Korea and
beat the UAE since the final qualifying series kicked off last month.
Ten Asian teams are competing in two groups in the qualifying round that will end
in June next year. Two from each group are given tickets to the World Cup in
South Africa, while the third-placed squads will start their own playoffs.
South Korea, who seek their seventh straight ticket, will now face Saudi Arabia
in Riyadh on Nov. 19 for their third final-round World Cup qualifier.
South Korea are ranked 55th in the world according to FIFA, while Saudi Arabia
are listed four notches higher. South Korea have lost five times to the country,
won only three times and tied six matches in their past clashes.
The next immediate regional qualifier for North Korea comes on Feb. 11 against
the same Middle East team. South Korea will play Qatar in a friendly in Doha just
five days ahead of the qualifier against Saudi Arabia.
samkim@yna.co.kr
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