SEOUL, May 31 (Reuters) - Asian heavyweights South Korea were held to a 2-2 draw by Jordan in a 2010 World Cup qualifier on Saturday after the visitors came from behind with two second-half goals from substitute Hasan Abdel Mahmoud.

South Korea, looking for their seventh successive trip to

the World Cup finals, led 2-0 with their first goal coming from

Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung from close range in

the 39th minute.

The hosts, who have five points from three matches in Group

Three, doubled their advantage early in the second half after

Cho Won-hee was brought down in the box by Hatem Aqel.

FC Seoul forward Park Chu-young converted from the spot.

It was not until midway through the second half that Jordan

had their first shot on goal and shortly after Mahmoud turned

the tables on South Korea.

His first goal came in the 73rd minute after he picked up a

rebound from his own shot and slipped the ball into the net.

Mahmoud equalised seven minutes later when he took a long

pass, split two defenders and delivered a rocket into the back

of the net.

South Korea next travel to Jordan to play the second half of

the home-away series in Amman on June 7.

They then travel to Ashgabat to play Turkmenistan on June 14

and finish the round with what is expected to be an emotional

and perhaps crucial game with North Korea in Seoul on June 22.