Turkmenistan started in the 2010 World Cup Qualification with the group match versus 2007 AFC Cup bronze-medal winner South Korea. Korea DPR and Jordan compete with Turkmenistan and South Korea in AFC Third Group for the berths in the 2010 World Cup.

The match was held at the World Cup stadium in Seoul.

Korea’s Coach HUH Jung Moo had invited three European legionnaires – Park Ji Sung, Seol Ki Hyeon and Lee Young Pyo playing for the European clubs and Kim Nal Il playing for Japanese Vissel Kobe, whose experience determined the game, to play in the match.

South Korea’s first goal came in the waning moments of the first half when defender Kwak Tae-hwi rose above Azat Muhadov to head home a cross from Seol.

Seol led a second-half scoring blitz when he took a pass from, dribbled past a defender and sent a left-footed drive into the back of the net.

Manchester United’s Park put the home side up 3-0 on a chilly night by curling in a shot from the corner of the box in the 70th minute.

Seol finished the scoring when he took a long pass from Lee Kwan-woo and, without a defender in sight, easily slid in a shot.

South Korea beat Turkmenistan 4-0 in their first World Cup qualifier.

South Korea, under new coach Huh Jong-moo, are trying to secure a spot for the seventh straight time in the World Cup finals.

Turkmenistan and South Korea will meet for the return match on June 14 in Ashgabat.