RIYADH (AFP) - North Korea joined neighbours South Korea in qualifying for the 2010 World Cup following a 0-0 draw against hosts Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.

After the final match of Group B North Korea finished second top on 12 points behind South Korea, who have 16.

It means that after a long, drawn-out process both Koreas have qualified automatically for the World Cup finals next year in South Africa.

Saudi Arabia finished third in the group, also on 12 points, and will now face the third place finisher in Group A, Bahrain, in a play-off with the winner going on to meet Oceania champions New Zealand.

Bahrain squeezed a crucial 1-0 win at home against Uzbekistan earlier Wednesday to finish third in Group A.

The winner of the final play-off between Bahrain or Saudi Arabia and New Zealand will then qualify for the World Cup.