World Cup co-hosts South Korea went into the match sluggishly with the Chinese side doing more attacks in the opening half hour.

China, who were missing several first-choice players through injuries, could have opened the scoring in the 15th minute when striker Su Maozhen forced a brilliant save from keeper Lee Woon- jae with a powerful header.

Su, a constant threat to the South Korean goal, missed another good opportunity when his header from a left cross was again pushed away by Lee.

Both sides made some changes during the interval but failed to create any good chance in the second half.

As the game was heading for an entertaining draw, South Korea, desperate to grab a winner, poured forward more forcefully but found it impossible to penetrate the solid Chinese defense.

Since 1978, the two countries have clashed 23 times, with South Korea boasting 14 wins, 8 draws and only one defeat.

(China Daily April 28, 2002)