South Korea have recorded a solid 2-0 away win over African giants Ivory Coast at London's Loftus Road.

The 53rd-ranked Koreans struck early through forward Lee Dong-Gook who scored in the 4th minute with a fine volley to put them on the way to a vital victory over a nation they meet in this year's World Cup finals.

The Ivorians came close on several occasions with Chelsea's Didier Drogba at the fore of their attacks but led by Manchester United's Park Ji-Sung, South Korea held strong and managed a late goal through Tae Hwi-Kwak who headed home in injury time.

Huh Jung-moo was delighted with the performance of his side but said it was now important to study the way the Ivorians play ahead of their meeting in the group stage of the World Cup.

"We played very well and it is a good win for us but there is a lot of work still to do before the World Cup. We are not meeting again until May now but I will give the players homework to do on our opponents," Huh said.

"I want them to study videos of the teams we shall be playing as they all need to improve before we go to South Africa. The players who play in Europe lead this team and you saw that out there. They have more experience and quality but we attack and defend as a team and we deserved to win.''