South Korea clinched a place in the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time on foreign soil despite being held to a draw by Nigeria in their final Group B match in Durban.

• Lagerback accuses Koreans

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Kalu Uche opened the scoring for the African team in the 12th minute and almost

doubled his side's lead shortly after the half-hour mark but his powerful strike

smashed off the near post.

Lee Jung-Soo equalised in the 38th minute and then Park Chu-Young's free-kick

early in the second half turned the match on its head.

Korea shot themselves in the foot when substitute Kim Nam-Il brought down

Chinedu Obasi inside the area midway through the second half. Ayegbeni Yakubu,

having missed the easiest of tap-ins seconds earlier, made amends by restoring

parity from the penalty spot.

The outcome sealed second spot in the group for Korea and a second-round match

against Uruguay on Saturday in Port Elizabeth. Argentina, who beat Greece 2-0, topped the pool.

Needing a win to progress to the next round, Nigeria coach Lars Lagerback made

four changes to his starting XI from the side that lost 2-1 against Greece, one

of which saw Portsmouth striker Kanu included after failing to feature in his

side's opening two defeats.

South Korea enjoyed a strong start and almost took the lead after two minutes,

but Bolton's Lee Chung-Yong directed his close-range effort just wide of the far

post.

Shortly after, Celtic midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng's right-footed strike from 25

yards went over the bar as South Korea got closer. But it was Nigeria who took a surprise lead soon after.

In their first purposeful attack, Chidi Odiah went on a superb run and crossed

towards the heart of the area, where Uche beat Cha Du-Ri to the ball and fired

past Jung Sung-Ryong.

Uche's free-kick went over the bar in the 20th minute and, seconds later, Obasi

struck wide from the edge of the area as Nigeria looked to double their lead.

Nigeria were gaining confidence and, on the half-hour mark, Obasi surged inside

the area but his central shot was saved by Jung.

Shortly after the half-hour mark, Park Chu-young's free-kick went wide as Korea

struggled to find the finishing touch.

But the Koreans did find the equaliser before the break when Ki Sung-Yueng's

free-kick towards the far post was met by Lee Jung-Soo, whose first-time finish

beat Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama.

Both teams went into the break with all to play for. Korea picked up where they left off after the interval and went ahead in the 48th minute. Park Chu-Young's free-kick swerved towards the post and Enyeama failed to get a

touch.

Lagerback introduced Obafemi Martins to replace Kanu in the 56th minute in the

hope he could spark his team to life. On the hour mark, Yeom Ki-Hun's dangerous cross towards the area found Park

Chu-young and his seemingly goalbound strike was met by a fine save from

Enyeama.

Nigeria should have pulled level seconds later after Uche set up an unmarked

Yakubu, but he inexplicably tapped wide of an open goal from two yards - much to

the horror of his team-mates.

Yakubu made amends soon after by firing a spot-kick past Jung.

Park Ji-Sung fired wide of the near post with 15 minutes remaining while, at

the other end, Martins surged inside the area and his chip beat Jung

but went wide.

Korea defended deeply thereafter but held on for a vital point.