Korea Republic dominated the early stages, but it was Palestine who had the first chance in the fourth minute with Oday Dabbagh dispossessing Kim Young-gwon in his own half before sending a well-timed pass to Tamer Seyam, whose stretched left-footed shot was comfortably saved by Korea Republic keeper Jo Hyeon-woo.

Palestine, who are eyeing to create history by qualifying for their first FIFA World Cup, looked solid in defence and kept their opponents at bay in the 17th minute when Son Heung-min delivered a weighted cross for Joo Min-kyu, whose headed attempt at goal was deflected out of play.

The West Asians thought they had scored five minutes later off Jonathan Zorrilla’s free-kick after Sayem redirected Yaser Hamed’s header into the back of the net from an acute angle, only to be flagged offside before the Palestinian midfielder headed another attempt from a set-piece straight into the path of Jo.

Palestine kept up the pressure and almost caused problems for Korea Republic in the 31st minute following a counter-attacking move with Seyam in the thick of the action with the East Asian side needing intervention from Lee Jae-sung, who headed a looping effort out for a corner.

Despite turning up the pressure on Palestine in the closing stages of the half, Korea Republic were left frustrated following missed chances by Joo and Hwang In-Beom, while Lee Kang-in saw his effort foiled by Palestine custodian Rami Hamada.

Korea Republic started the second half with renewed purpose and came close through Hwang In-Beom’s effort in the 51st minute, while Palestine toiled a minute later with Wessam Abou Ali pulling his effort above the bar following Dabbagh’s set-up.

Lee had a golden opportunity at the hour mark after a well-worked build-up, with Son setting up the unmarked midfielder perfectly inside the box, but his effort sailed over the bar.

Palestine continued to frustrate Korea Republic when Hamada pulled off another fine save to deny Lee’s free-kick in the 73rd minute, while Son failed to control the ball from inside the area off a counter-attack moments later.

Hamada needed to be on his toes when he stood firm to deny a headed attempt from Oh Se-hun in the 83rd minute, while Son displayed a moment of individual brilliance when he weaved inside the box only to be denied by the bar.

It was end-to-end action in the closing stages with Abou Ali seeing his effort saved by Joo, while 

Lee forced a save from Hamada at the other end as teams settled for a share of the spoils.