Here is some news that should make Koreans happy today:

South Korea advanced to the 2010 World Cup on Saturday, beating United Arab Emirates 2-0 after first-half goals from Park Chu-young and Ki Sung-yeung.

South Korea leads Group B of Asian qualifying with 14 points from six matches, three ahead of second-place North Korea, which has played an extra game.

“This is a fantastic win,” South Korea coach Huh Jung-moo said after his nation qualified for its eighth World Cup. “Our first objective was to win this match and I am happy we managed to do just that. We now have two home games left, and we are going to try and win both.”

South Korea went ahead in the fifth minute when Park collected a pass from Lee Chung-yong and beat goalkeeper Majed Naser with a left-footed shot.

It was 2-0 in the 37th after Naser had dived to stop a deflected shot going for a corner, only to divert the ball and allow Ki to tap it into the net.  [USA Today]