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| 2010 FIFA World Cup |
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| North and South draw again |
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| DPR Korea (in red) and Korea Republic drew for the third successive match. (AFP) |
SHANGHAI – Ki Seung-yueng cancelled out Hong Yong-jo’s second-half penalty as Korea Republic came from behind to claim a point in a 1-1 draw with DPR Korea at Hongkou Stadium on Wednesday.
DPR Korea were looking to build on their excellent opening Group Two victory in the UAE and looked to be on their way to another three points when Hong converted from the spot after 64 minutes.
But Huh Jung-moo’s side rallied to open their campaign in the final round of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup with a draw when Ki volleyed home just five minutes later.
A fairly even opening saw plenty of endeavour from both sides but little in the way of clear-cut chances, no surprise given the combatants had played out two goalless draws in the previous qualifying stage.
DPR Korea spurned the first genuine opportunity just before the half-hour mark. Neat approach work set Mun In-guk free down the left and the midfielder pulled the ball back low across the box for the onrushing Hong but the forward blasted his left-foot shot high over the bar from 12 yards.
Choi Sung-kuk then created half a chance for himself as the Korea Republic forward smartly controlled Oh Beom-sok’s cross but his shot on the turn lacked power and keeper Ri Myong-guk gathered easily.
Kim Jin-kyu then saw a shot from 30 yards deflected narrowly wide following a well-worked Korea Republic free-kick in the last action of the opening 45 minutes.
Mun’s square ball across the box was dragged wide by Hong with nearly an hour gone before DPR Korea had another excellent chance to break the deadlock immediately afterwards.
Mun latched onto a ball over the top before racing clear down the right. The striker tried to beat keeper Jung Sung-ryong low at his near post but fired just wide.
Kim Jong-hun’s side did not have to wait long to take the lead, however, as they were awarded a penalty when Korea Republic skipper Kim Nam-il was penalised for a pull on Jong Tae-se as the duo contested a high ball.
Hong made no mistake from the spot, the 26-year-old dispatching the ball into the top-left corner after 64 minutes beyond the diving Jung.
Their advantage lasted only five minutes, though, as Korea Republic equalised out of the blue.
Kim Do-heon’s long pass picked out Ki Sung-yueng on the edge of the area and the FC Seoul midfielder controlled the ball on his chest before volleying into the bottom corner, although Ki could perhaps have done better.
Kim’s corner then caused panic in the DPR Korea box as they pressed for a winner before Jong, who was becoming more isolated up front, nearly snatched a winner at the other end with seven minutes remaining when his left-foot strike rolled just the wrong side of the post as honours ended even.
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