TOKYO, Jan 29: Two-time champions South Korea whipped Japan 34-21 on Tuesday to clinch a women’s berth at the Beijing Olympics, in a controversial rematch of Asia’s disputed qualifying rounds.

South Korea, who won the 1988 and 1992 Olympic women’s titles, led 18-12 at halftime in the match which has drawn unprecedented crowd and media attention after allegations of match fixing in the original regional qualifiers last year.

Japan still pin their hopes of qualifying for their first Olympics in 32 years on a final worldwide qualifying tournament in March.

In the original qualifying rounds, Kuwait won the men’s berth in Japan last September and Kazakhstan took the women’s spot at home last August.

But the International Handball Federation (IHF) in December ordered replays after Japan and South Korea protested that referees from the Middle East officiated in favour of Kuwait and Kazakhstan.

The women’s round had involved Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea and Qatar.

But only Japan and South Korea took part in the new round as the Asian Handball Federation threatened to punish countries participating in it.

The men’s new round was to be contested here on Wednesday again between Japan and South Korea.

Kuwait won all their matches in the men’s original round which also featured Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

Japan and South Korea cried foul after the Kuwait-led Asian Handball Federation replaced IHF-appointed German referees in the men’s qualifiers, installing referees from Jordan and Iran in their matches against Kuwait.

Japanese networks have repeatedly broadcast videos of dubious referee calls in the men’s event, giving overnight fame to the obscure sport.

No still or video cameras were allowed in the women’s tournament amid allegations of match fixing.—AFP