SOUTH Korea ended their World Cup Asia Group D qualifying tournament with a sparkling second-half display to overwhelm Bahrain 3-0 in the Seoul Olympic Stadium yesterday.
But Hongkong's wretched form in this second phase of matches went from bad to worse as they sunk to a humiliating 3-1 defeat by India to finish the tournament a dispirited rabble.
Korea's victory - their seventh in eight qualifying games in Beirut and Seoul - left them way ahead with 15 points from a possible 16.
They now enter the final Asian qualifying competition in October with the winners of the five other groups - a single round-robin from which the top two progress to the World Cup finals in the US next year.
Three cracking goals from right-back Kang Chul, midfielder Park Nam-yeol and skipper Gu Sang-bum prevented second-placed Bahrain from spoiling their send-off party.
At the final whistle, Korea's victory and qualification were greeted by streamers and fireworks, and the team carried a huge flag on a lap of honour.