South Korea and North Korea played to a scoreless draw during the penultimate match of the East Asian Cup on Sunday, giving China a chance to win the tournament.

The hosts will face off against Japan in the central city of Wuhan later Sunday in a game which will determine whether South Korea or China end up as tournament champions.

China must win their match. A loss or a draw will mean South Korea taking the cup for the third time, after successes in 2003 and 2008.

North Korea spent most of the first half on the defensive, with the South keeping the ball around their net but in the end having nothing to show for it.

North Korean goalkeeper Ri Myong-Guk made several spectacular saves, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap.

Much of the second half also saw South Korea in the North's zone, but the strikers could not put the ball home.

South Korea had opened the tournament by beating China 2-0 and drew with Japan 1-1 in their other match, while North Korea beat Japan 2-1 and lost to China 2-0.

Four teams compete in the East Asia Cup, which is held every second year.

The men's and women's editions were held concurrently this year.