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SHANGHAI : South Korea were frustrated by stubborn North Korean defending on Wednesday as their much-anticipated World Cup qualifying showdown ended in a goalless stalemate.
The South, despite fielding top stars such as Manchester United's Park Ji-Sung, failed to convert a series of chances in the Cold War clash which was moved from Pyongyang in a row over flags and anthems.
A frustrated Park said a lack of composure in the opposition penalty area cost his side.
"We should have won this match," said the Premier League star, who flew in on Tuesday from England to join the squad. "We couldn't finish around the net."
After a cagey first half, both teams upped the tempo with Fulham's Seol Ki-Hyeon just missing a cross from South Korean team-mate Yeom Ki-Hun.
Cho Won-Hee shot over as the South pressed forward before North Korea's Jong Tae-Se, "Asia's Wayne Rooney," found space at the back and had his close-range shot deflected wide by a lunging Lee Jung-Soo.
Park Chu-Young headed over as the mouth-watering clash fizzled at Shanghai's Hongkou Stadium.
"It's disappointing not to come away with a win," said the South's head coach Huh Jung-Moo. "We expected the North to crowd their own zone. Our players weren't always on the same page."
In the first half, South Korea's Lee Jung-Soo had tested Ri Myong-Guk with a header while Jong fed Hong Yong-Jo for a shot that sailed wide.
North Korean head coach Kim Jeong-Hoon said his team played better than in February's East Asian championship but added he was not happy with Jong's play.
"He is a player of considerable skills but didn't play up to his capabilities today," Kim said.
World governing body FIFA ordered the move to Shanghai after fiercely patriotic North Korean officials refused to let the South use their flag and anthem in Kim Il-Sung Stadium.
The two countries, separated by the world's last Cold War frontier, have yet to sign a peace treaty following the 1950-1953 war which divided the Korean peninsula.
The teams have contrasting World Cup histories, with 2002 semi-finalists South Korea seeking a seventh straight berth and the North bidding for a first appearance since 1966, when they shocked the globe by reaching the last eight.
South Korea's next game is against Jordan in Seoul on May 31, while North Korea next face Turkmenistan on the road on June 2.
The Koreas face each other again on June 22 in Seoul. South Korea have lost just once in 11 matches against the North, whom they lead by goal difference only at the top of Group 3. - AFP/de
Asian World Cup qualifying third round results:
China 0 Australia 0
Qatar 2 Iraq 0
Bahrain 1 Japan 0
Thailand 0 Oman 1
North Korea 0 South Korea 0
Turkmenistan 0 Jordan 2
Singapore 2 Lebanon 0
Uzbekistan 3 Saudi Arabia 0
Syria 1 United Arab Emirates 1
Kuwait 2 Iran 2
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