S. Korea draw 1-1 with Qatar in warm-up for World Cup qualifier

DOHA, Nov. 15 (Yonhap) -- South Korea were held to a one-all draw by Qatar on
Saturday (Korean time) in a warm-up friendly ahead of their 2010 World Cup
qualifier against Saudi Arabia.
Forward Lee Keun-ho curled a free kick into the right side of the net in the
seventh to give South Korea an early lead, but Qatari midfielder Fabio Cesar
equalized in the 74th on a free kick opportunity.
The friendly at Al Sadd Stadium in the Qatari capital came four days before South
Korea were to face Saudi Arabia in Riyadh in the final Asian qualifying for the
World Cup.
South Korea, who seek their seventh straight World Cup ticket, drew with North
Korea in September and defeated the United Arab Emirates 4-1 last month to stand
at the top of Group B, which also includes North Korea and Iran.
South Korea are ranked 53rd in the world, while Saudi Arabia are just a notch
higher. South Korea have lost five times to Saudi Arabia, won three matches and
tied six in their past clashes.
Saudi Arabia are placed at third in the qualifying group after beating the UAE
and tying with Iran in previous qualifiers. North Korea stand in fourth, while
Iran are in second.
Ten Asian teams are competing in two groups in the regional qualifying round that
will close its run 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.
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