S. Korea rebuilds confidence over Saudi Arabia in World Cup qualifier

RIYADH, Nov. 19 (Yonhap) -- South Korea defeated Saudi Arabia 2-0 in their 2010 World Cup qualifier on Wednesday, ending a 19-year-old winning drought against the Middle East rivals and shaping a clear lead as they move halfway into the final Asian round.

In-form striker Lee Keun-ho led the charge in the 77th minute when he sneaked the
ball past Saudi goalie Waleed Ali after receiving a pass from Manchester United
winger Park Ji-sung inside the box.
Park Chu-young of AS Monaco sealed the victory when he curled a powerful
right-footed shot into the right side of the net from outside the penalty area
shortly into injury time.
The win at King Fadh Stadium is the first for South Korea against Saudi Arabia
since they faced off in a World Cup qualifier in 1989. It also helped South Korea
tighten their lead in Group B of the Asian qualifying with seven points, while
pulling Saudi Arabia to fourth.
"It looked quite unstable in the first half, but things turned better as time
went," South Korean coach Huh Jung-moo told reporters. "The victory brought us
the confidence that we can be stronger."
South Korea, who seek their seventh straight World Cup ticket, tied with North
Korea in the opener of the final Asian qualifying in September but thrashed the
United Arab Emirates 4-1 last month.
The 2002 World Cup semi-finalists survived a series of menacing charges by Saudi
Arabia in the first half, with Lee Young-pyo of Borussia Dortmund stepping in at
the net to block two shots in a row in the 5th minute.
Iran, who drew 1-1 with the UAE in a separate qualifier, trail in second in Group
B with five points.
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.