WRAPUP 1-Soccer-North Korea through to second World Cup finals

RIYADH, June 17 (Reuters) - Communist North Korea gained the last of Asia's four automatic World Cup places on Wednesday to clinch only their second appearance in the finals.

North Korea, who reached the quarter-finals in England in 1966, held Saudi Arabia to a 0-0 draw in Riyadh to join South Korea, Australia and Japan as the region's representatives in South Africa next year.

Third-placed pair Saudi Arabia and Bahrain also stayed in the hunt and will meet in a two-legged Asian playoff for the right to face Oceania champions New Zealand at the end of the year.

Iran and Uzbekistan bowed out after failing to get the wins they needed.

In Group One Uzbekistan lost 1-0 to Bahrain in Manama while Iran drew 1-1 with Group Two winners South Korea after conceding a late equaliser in Seoul.

North Korea had to survive a jittery finish against the Saudis after Kim Yong-jun was sent off in stoppage time in their Group Two tie.

The Saudis, bidding for their fifth successive finals appearance, play Bahrain over two legs in September with the winners advancing to a home and away playoff against New Zealand in October and November.

Bahrain only needed a draw to make the playoffs but grabbed all three points after Mahmood Abdulrahman scored from a stunning free kick in the 74th minute.

Bahrain, one of the most improved sides in Asia in recent times, then had Abdulla Marzooq sent off four minutes later but held on for victory.