South and North Korea will compete in different groups in Asia’s final qualifying round for the 2006 World Cup, as a result of a draw Thursday.

South Korea, one of the two top seeds in the final qualifying round, is grouped with Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan.

North Korea, meanwhile, is grouped with Japan, Iran and Bahrain.

The four teams of each group are to have six home and away matches while the two top teams of each group will win tickets to the World Cup finals.

Should the two Koreas take third place in their respective groups, then they will meet in a play-off match.