The nation’s Olympic soccer team has defeated Uzbekistan two-to-one in the qualifying round for the Beijing 2008 Olympics.

Under the new leadership of coach Park Sung-hwa, the South Korean athletes played against their Uzbekistani counterparts of Group B in Seoul’s World Cup Stadium.

Uzbekistan drew first blood in the first half with its only goal. In the 26th minute of the second half, Lee Sang-ho headed in a goal and five minutes later Lee Guen-ho scored the clincher.

The South Korean team will face Bahrain in the second qualifying round in an away match next month.