BANGKOK, June 8: Japan beat North Korea 2-0 behind closed doors in Thailand on Wednesday to become the first team to qualify for the 2006 World Cup alongside hosts Germany. Striker Atsushi Yanagisawa put the Asian champions in front in the 73rd minute and substitute Masashi Oguro added a second a minute from time to secure Japan’s third World Cup appearance.

North Korea striker Kim Yong-su was sent off in stoppage time for stamping on Makoto Tanaka, who was lucky to escape a red card himself for lashing out at his opponent.

FIFA moved the politically charged clash to Bangkok as punishment for crowd violence following North Korea’s 2-0 defeat by Iran in Pyongyang in March.

Japan qualified for their first World Cup finals in 1998 and co-hosted the 2002 tournament with South Korea.

Italy-based midfielders Hidetoshi Nakata and Shunsuke Nakamura were both suspended for the Group B game but Japan, who only needed a point, always looked in control.

Yanagisawa slid in to volley home from close range after 73 minutes to settle Japan’s nerves. Oguro latched on to a pass from Tanaka to add a late second.

The final whistle was greeted by wild celebrations from the Japanese players and coaching staff that echoed around the empty stadium.

North Korea’s outside chance of reaching the World Cup for the first time since 1966 ended with their fifth straight defeat.

Japan provisionally climbed above Iran at the top of Group B with 12 points from five matches.

IRAN BOOK BERTH