RIYADH: South Korea beat Saudi Arabia 2-0 in a World Cup qualifier on Wednesday, two goals in the last 15 minutes ensuring the 2002 semi-finalists moved atop Group Two.

The result left Saudi Arabia in fourth spot in the group on four points after Iran drew 1-1 with the winless United Arab Emirates in the earlier game.

The Iranians stand two points adrift of South Korea on five points.

The two group winners and runners-up in these Asian qualifiers will claim automatic berths for the 2010 World Cup while the third-placed teams will play each other home-and-away with the winner advancing to the inter-confederation play-off with New Zealand.

Saudi Arabia played the final 32 minutes with 10 men after Naif Hazazi received a second yellow card.

The South Koreans took full advantage, Lee Keun Ho scoring the first goal in the 77th minute and AS Monaco striker Park Chu Young coming off the bench to rattle in a second one minute into injury time of the second-half. - AFP/de