Soccer: All Whites' Cup path could go via North Korea

Ricki Herbert. Photo / Greg Bowker

The All Whites' hopes of qualifying for next year's World Cup in South Africa might depend upon an intriguing trip to North Korea.

The far from mouth-watering prospect of a visit to Kim Jong-il's pariah state looms for the All Whites after the North Koreans were held 0-0 by Iran in a Group B Asian World Cup qualifier.

The favoured North Koreans are now in danger of not claiming the second of two automatic spots in next year's World Cup and face a sudden-death playoff against the team finishing third in the other Asian group.

The winner of that playoff will face New Zealand home and away, meaning the All Whites would find themselves running on to the pitch at Yanggakdo Stadium in Pyongyang.

Earlier South Korea had followed Japan and Australia in booking early tickets to South Africa with a 2-0 away win over United Arab Emirates.

The defeat made sure UAE were the first of the 10 teams in the second phase of Asian qualifying to have their dream of a journey to the cup finals ended.

It will be South Korea's seventh consecutive trip to the World Cup finals.

The North Koreans could have got to within two points of becoming the fourth Asian qualifier with a win over Iran, but now face an anxious end to their season.

The South Koreans still lead the group with 14 points and with two games to play. North Korea retain second place in the group with 11 points, but have only the away game with third-placed Saudi Arabia on June 17 to play.

Saudi Arabia can get up to claim second if they beat South Korea away on Wednesday and do not lose to the North a week later.

The third-placed Group B team are likely to play Bahrain for the right to meet New Zealand in October and November.

All Whites coach Ricki Herbert has long maintained his preference would be for a playoff against a Middle Eastern team rather than an East Asian country. Already he knows he will not have to go to Japan or South Korea - or Australia - but a trip to Pyongyang would be his least preferred option.

North Korea, who had lost their previous three games against Iran, were a trifle fortunate not to go into halftime in Saturday's game a goal down after Vahid Hashemian went close to scoring with a late volley in the first half.

The home side dominated the second spell but were denied by some excellent saves by Iranian goalkeeper Seyed Rahmati.