The national soccer team has qualified for its seventh straight World Cup with a 2-0 win over the United Arab Emirates.

South Korea with its win Saturday grabbed one of the two automatic bids from Group B thanks in part to North Korea's scoreless draw with Iran earlier.

In Dubai's Al-Maktoum Stadium, South Korea used a tenacious attack in the first half that gave UAE's defense headaches. Off a long cross, Lee Chung-yong centered the ball to Park Chu-young, who got off the shot just before falling to open the scoring in the ninth minute.

The Taegeuk Warriors doubled the lead in the 38th minute thanks to a defensive error by Mohammed Qass. The defender misdirected a cross by Park Ji-sung toward his own goal and goalie Majed Naser dove to save the ball from going out of bounds.

The ball went to the waiting feet of Ki Sung-yueng, who shot it into the empty net.

Kim Jung-woo's ejection in the 48th minute forced South Korea to play with ten men, but UAE failed to capitalize despite getting more aggressive on offense in the second half.

Lee almost scored again in the 70th minute in a one-on-one situation with goalie Naser, but his shot was blocked.

Hilal Saeed was given a red card for his foul on captain Park Ji-sung in injury time.

South Korea will host its final two qualifers against Saudi Arabia (Wednesday) and Iran (June 17).