Needing a victory to win the title, Korea Rep. charged a fierce attack from the onset. In the 1st minute, Park Kyu Seon broke free of the defensive mark and forced a shot. In the 14th minute, from a right side corner kick, Kim Jin Kyu leapt high in front of the goal to attempt a header. While Korea Rep. took control of the game, Korea DPR's strategy was to prevent Korea Rep.'s side attack by adopting a 5-3-2 formation, moving the flanks back to the final line. As they solidified the defense, Korea DPR launched swift counter-attacks, attempting a goal in the 19th minute (Pak Song Gwan) and in the 37th minute (Kim Yong Jun). The two Koreas continued their intense offensive, and as the excitement grew, the cheering crowd of 27,455 started a wave around the stadium.

The close offensive-defensive battle continued into the second half. In the 59th minute, Korea DPR's Choe Ung Cho displayed an exquisite trap to sidestep a defender inside the penalty area and found himself free, but his shot was saved by Korea Rep.'s goalkeeper, Lee Woon Jae. Korea Rep.'s ace striker, Lee Dong Gook, also made desperate attempts at the goal in the 65th, 67th and 71st minutes, but the shots went flying above the bar. Korea Rep. replaced Lee Chu Soo with Choi Tae Uk in the 75th minute to increase the chances of right-wing breakthroughs. The speed and intensity of the attacks continued, but both teams lacked the ability to finish, and the whistle blew to indicate a scoreless draw.

The disappointed Korea Rep. head coach Jo Bonfrere commented, "Our players displayed all they have and created many opportunities, but we need a goal to win. We were unlucky." In top position, Korea DPR's head coach Kim Myong Song braced up for the next match saying, "We expected Korea Rep. to be all out on the attack, and I think we were able to fend them off well. We can capture the title if we can win the next match, but China PR is a very strong team and we know it won't be easy."