South Korea have claimed the bronze medal in the men's football competition after beating Japan 2-0 in the third-place playoff at the Millennium Stadium tonight.

Goals in either half from Arsenal striker Park Chu-Young and captain Jacheol Koo were enough to see Korea triumph in what was an evenly-contested match.

Recalled goalkeeper Jung Sung-Ryong kept Korea on level terms during the opening stages as he tipped Hiroshi Kiyotake's effort round the post, while Japan came even closer to taking the lead when Hiroki Sakai's header went inches wide of the post.

Japan were made to pay for their misses as Park put Korea ahead with a fine solo effort, dribbling past two defenders before shooting low into the bottom corner.

It was the Japanese who began the second period the stronger, but Korea doubled their advantage with a goal against the run of play as Koo applied a calm close-range finish to a counter attack.

Bokyung Kim could have put the game beyond doubt but his shot was tipped onto the crossbar by Shuichi Gonda.

Japan thought the had set up a nervy last five minutes when Kenyi Sugumoto headed into the net, but was adjudged to have fouled Jung in the process.

Korea survived a late Japanese onslaught to maintain their two-goal cushion and claim bronze ahead of their Asian rivals.