LEIPZIG, June 18: France were held to a 1-1 draw by a dogged South Korea side on Sunday that left Group G wide open after the former champions missed a series of late chances.

France ended a worrying goal drought at World Cup finals thanks to an early goal from Thierry Henry but Park Ji-sung grabbed Korea’s equaliser in the 81st minute.

The 1998 champions, who had started with a dull 0-0 draw with Switzerland, stepped up a gear in a bid to keep alive their chances of reaching the knockout stage.

South Korea were lively as ever but looked also naive and harmless against opponents a lot tougher than Togo, whom the 2002 semi-finalists had beaten 2-1 in their opening match.— Reuters

Japan, Croatia tie

NUREMBURG: World Cup Group F result here on Sunday:

Japan 0

Croatia 0

Brazil win

MUNICH: The other World Cup Group F result was:

Brazil 2

Australia 0

Today’s matches (time in PST)

• Togo v Switzerland at 6pm

• Saudi Arabia v Ukraine at 9pm

• Spain v Tunisia at 12 midnight