HONG KONG: North Korea will pit their wits against football's heavyweights at next year's World Cup Finals in South Africa, after qualifying for the first time since 1966.

They secured their place in the finals with a 0-0 draw away at Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, joining neighbours South Korea, Japan and Australia as the qualifying teams from Asia in South Africa.

Their qualification comes against the backdrop of grave international concern about the intentions of the North and its reclusive leader Kim Jong Il, after Pyongyang test-fired several rockets and tested a nuclear bomb.

In their only previous World Cup, played in England 43 years ago, they became many people's second team as they shocked the mighty Italy en route to the quarter-finals, where they went out to Portugal 3-5.

However, the current North Korean team are hardly entertainers, with their brand of defensive football.

The 106th team in the Fifa world rankings scored only seven goals in eight games in the final qualification stage, conceding just five. In the preceding group stages, their resolute defence was not breached once in six games.

Said coach Kim Jong Hun (above) : "It was so hot in Saudi Arabia and, as you know, the journey from Korea was long, but our belief in the ability of the players shone through.

"We focused on defending as we had come under a lot of pressure from the Saudis, and I think our preparation for the game was one factor that earned the victory tonight."

North Korea did not compete in qualifying for the 1998 World Cup in France or the 2002 edition in Japan and South Korea.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain will meet in a two-legged Asian play-off for the right to face Oceania champions New Zealand for another World Cup spot.

- AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE