Yasser Al Qahtani scored from the 77th-minute spot-kick, 11 minutes after Choi Sung-kuk headed the Koreans into a lead in Jakarta in the Group D encounter. A power failure delayed the conclusion of the match by about 25 minutes with five minutes left to play.

Both teams trail co-host Indonesia after one of three matches in the group stage. The winner and runner-up from each of the four divisions advance to the quarterfinals. The 16-team event is also being held in Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Saudi Arabia is aiming for a record fourth title to move ahead of Iran and defending champion Japan. The Koreans won the first two events in 1956 and 1960.

Iran, winner of three straight crowns from 1968 to 1976, trailed 1-0 at halftime today following an own goal by Rahman Rezaei. Seyed Jalal Hosseini and Javed Kazemian scored in the second half to put Iran atop the Group C standings with China.