South Korea took the lead in the eighth minute when Cho Jae-jin headed in a cross from Choi Sung-kuk.

The Syrian's equalised nine minutes later when Maher Al Said received a long pass and shot from inside the penalty area past the goalkeeper.

Although the home side enjoyed a handful of scoring chances, they lacked precision in their final touches but the result was enough to secure a berth in the continent's top soccer tournament.

South Korea coach Pim Verbeek said that despite reaching the tournament finals, the team still had a lot of work to do.

"I'm very disappointed that we didn't score more goals," Verbeek told a news conference.

"We had some very good chances, so I'm very disappointed about that. That's one of the things we are going to have to work on."

"The players have to do better about keeping their concentration," he added in reference to the defensive lapse that allowed Syria to score.

In contrast, Syrian coach Fajer Ebrahim expressed his satisfaction with the draw.

"I tried to play a defensive strategy, and it succeeded," he said. "A draw is a good result for me."

South Korea join Iran, who have already qualified, at the top of Group B on 11 points.