SEOUL: Saudi Arabia set up a final-day showdown in qualifying for the 2010 World Cup by drawing 0-0 in an away game in South Korea on Wednesday. The result moved the Saudis level with North Korea for second place in Group B. Saudi Arabia hosts North Korea next Wednesday, with automatic World Cup qualification on offer for the winner.

A draw will be enough for North Korea to go through however. The third place team in the group will go into a playoff with the third-place team in Group A for the right to play Oceania champion New Zealand for a place at South Africa 2010.

With South Korea leading the group and clinching qualification four days previously, the onus was on Saudi Arabia to make the running in Seoul. The Green Falcons started well but were unable to maintain their early control and in a quiet first half, both teams had one decent chance each.

Nassir al Sharma spun on the penalty spot to drive a shot that was well-saved by Lee Woon-Jae after 13 minutes. Just before the break, Lee Keun-ho's close range shot was stopped by Waleed Ali.

The second half was more open with both teams, especially South Korea, having chances to win. Park Chu-Young headed over from close range in the fifty-fifth minute, with the Manchester Unitedplayer taking a shot over from a good position ten minutes later.

Al Sharma and Yasser Al Qahtani went close for Saudi Arabia but the visitors' task became much harder 10 minutes from time when Ahmed Ateef was sent off for a second yellow card. By that time, Saudi Arabia had already seemed to settle for a point and continued to defend in numbers. But they almost snatched a win at the end when substitute Naif Hazazi headed over.

The match between Saudi Arabia and North Korea will take place at the same time as South Korea hosts Iran. — AP