Koreans book Olympic spot

Korea Republic reached their seventh successive Olympic Games with a game to spare today when they cruised past Oman 3-0 in Muscat. Midfielder Nam Tae-hee put the Koreans ahead inside the first minute with FC Seoul striker Kim Hyun-sung doubling the score in the 68th minute. Kim Min-woo added the third just four minutes later. Hong Myung-bo's Korea Republic, who have a four-point lead over second-placed Oman, round off their qualifying campaign on 14 March when they face a Qatar side needing a win to have any hope of claiming the Group A runners-up place. The Qataris stayed in contention for second place with a 2-1 win at home to Saudi Arabia. The Saudis had taken a 12th-minute lead thanks to a penalty from Ettifaq defender Ahmed Ali Walibi, but the home side were on level terms two minutes from the interval courtesy of skipper Hasan Al Haydos. Naser Nabeel grabbed the winner ten minutes from time.