Seoul - The football teams of North and South Korea meet for the fourth time in 2010 World Cup qualifying Wednesday as both countries continue their quest for a ticket to next year's finals in South Africa.

The previous three encounters have all ended in draws, the most recent result a 1-1 six months ago. However, the sporting encounters been the two teams have been overshadowed by the ongoing political tensions on the Korean Peninsula and Wednesday's match at the World Cup stadium in Seoul is proving no different.

North Korea intends launching what it says is a communications satellite between April 4 and 8, but South Korea, Japan and the United States have said they believe it is cover for the test-firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile.

While South Korean President Lee Myung Bak spoke out against taking military action against North Korea's announced rocket launch, the incident has ratcheted up the tension between the two countries ahead of Wednesday's game.

However, confrontation is nothing new when it comes to dealing with North Korea.

Already in this campaign, the country has had to shift its home ties to Shanghai under FIFA orders after refusing to allow the South Korean anthem to be played on its territory for its home matches.

The sporting stakes are also high with North Korea leading Group B with 10 points from five matches following a 2-0 victory over the United Arab Emirates over the weekend.

"My players and I all know that three points are important if we are to make it to the World Cup finals. We will do our best," said North Korean coach Kim Jong Hun, whose country's only appearance at a finals came in 1966 in England.

In contrast, the 2002 World Cup co-hosts South Korea are looking for a seventh World Cup qualification in succession and will start the match as favourites as well as knowing that victory would move them on to 11 points.

"The match is very crucial for both teams," said South Korean coach Huh Jung Moo. (dpa)