The alarm bell was set at 8.11pm local time and it came in the shape of Ji Sung Park.

As a result of the midfielder’s header, Sven-Goran Eriksson’s first game on Far East soil ended in a draw after stand-in skipper Michael Owen had earlier struck yet again to put England ahead.

It was often a disjointed display by England but, then again, there is no reason for Eriksson to panic just yet.

After all, this game was merely a stepping-stone en route to the World Cup finals and the equaliser came shortly after he had made seven half-time substitutions.

Indeed, there were positive signs from Owen Hargreaves as well as a solid display from Danny Mills, while Joe Cole showed flashes of his promise in another cameo role as a replacement.

Then again, the match underlined the importance of not only the absent David Beckham but also Owen, who had been substituted by the time that the equaliser arrived.

Showing strength as much as ability, the Liverpool striker had earlier bundled the ball over the line on 26 minutes to take his tally to an impressive eight goals in 11 games under Eriksson.

The England coach will nevertheless at least be relieved not to have suffered any obvious further injuries.

After all, this was a team deprived of not only Beckham but also Nicky Butt, Kieron Dyer and Robbie Fowler, while Steven Gerrard and Gary Neville had to be left back at home.

The relatively cool conditions were hardly ideal in preparing England for the heat and humidity they could well face in Japan for their opening group game against Sweden.

However, there were immediate signs of the hysteria which grips Far Eastern crowds, with piercing high-pitched squeals resonating around the stadium every time the home side even looked like pressurising the England goal.

With Eriksson giving a second trial to the 4-3-3 formation he is thinking of using against Argentina, the emphasis was firmly on pace, with Owen supported on the flanks by Darius Vassell and Emile Heskey.

In behind at the heart of a midfield trio was the forceful figure of Hargreaves, whose early ball to Owen put the striker bursting through only to lose balance as he shot unwittingly turned into a cross.

The ensuing clearance rebounded off Vassell but defender Young Pyo Lee was on hand to clear off the line in the ensuing confusion.

Danny Murphy also volleyed just wide and it was not too long before England seized the advantage.

Heskey flicked the ball to Scholes as he beat the offside trap and while his shot was nimbly blocked by keeper Woon Jae Lee, Owen did superbly to force the ball home from close range.

South Korea, who have not won a game in their previous four World Cup appearances, had prepared intensively for this tournament under former Holland coach Hiddink, and did not buckle.

Indeed, having beaten Scotland 4-1 only last week, they came back at England, albeit in sporadic attacks, and did not lack energy or endeavour.

Captain Myung Bo Hong took aim from a full 30 yards out and it took a superb one-handed save by Nigel Martyn to tip the ball over.

Ashley Cole then started to press down the left flank with increasing confidence and his mobility was matched by Mills, who saw his shot deflected wide on one forward burst.

With seven changes made at the break Owen was replaced by Teddy Sheringham while Hargreaves was joined in midfield by Joe Cole and Trevor Sinclair. Gareth Southgate was also brought on as captain with Martin Keown on at the back, with Wayne Bridge replacing Ashley Cole and David James now in goal.

Just six minutes after the restart, however, Korea were level as Ji Sung Park found space ahead of Sheringham to head home after a corner had been flicked on.

It was a jolt to Eriksson’s side, who took time to settle thereafter.

Joe Cole, who shot wide after one jinking run and was an effervescent bundle of skill, nevertheless knuckled down in midfield along with Hargreaves and Sinclair to bring England back into the game.

Not that they were posing too many threats, however. Indeed, it was South Korea who pressed in the closing stages, with lively substitute Jung Hwan Ahn forcing James into a low save and then attempting an audacious effort from the halfway line that flew just over.

As for Eriksson, he has time on his side before facing Sweden, but the hard work must now start in earnest.