TOKYO, Jan 30 - South Korea booked their place at the Beijing Olympics handball competition on Wednesday after winning a controversial replay of a qualifying event boycotted by the rest of Asia.

　　Threats of severe penalties by the Asian Handball Federation (AHF) fell on deaf ears in Tokyo when South Korea and Japan defied an order not to take part in the disputed re-run, which was organised after the results from the original qualifying event last year were nullified.

　　On Wednesday, South Korea's men narrowly won 28-25 to join their national women's side in Beijing.

　　In a close contest watched by a vociferous Tokyo crowd of more than 10,000, South Korea took the early lead and held off a late Japanese rally to book their place at the Games.

　　The Korean women beat Japan 34-21 on Tuesday.

　　The sport is currently embroiled in a heated standoff over allegations that biased refereeing at the original qualifying event last year earned Kuwait (men) and Kazakhstan (women) Olympic berths.

　　Japan and South Korea claim the Kuwait-based Asian Handball Federation (AHF) switched the referees for Middle Eastern officials who would rule in favour of the Kuwaitis and Kazakhs.

　　The AHF insisted the contest was fair and refused to replay the tournament, so the International Handball Federation (IHF) organised the re-run, with only two teams willing to take part.

　　However, it could prove costly long-term for South Korea and Japan.

　　The AHF has threatened to give them the boot and even derail Tokyo's 2016 Olympics bid. AHF executive director Ahmed Abu Al Lail said a meeting will be held next week to discuss the fate of the two countries.

　　"We sent a letter to all the countries involved telling them not to participate," he told Reuters by telephone from Kuwait. "Japan and South Korea have participated."

　　Last year's tournament prompted widespread anger in Japan and South Korea, where local media vilified controversial Kuwaiti prince Sheikh Ahmad Fahad al-Sabah, chairman of the AHF and Asian Olympic Council chief, accusing him of "buying referees".

　　Japan captain Yoshio Nakagawa expressed disappointment his team lost but said he could now accept defeat because the match was refereed fairly.

　　We couldn't even cry last year," he told reporters. "But my tears are coming out this time.

　　"We thought this tournament was judged fairly. I was able to enjoy playing handball today as we were able to fight openly and squarely."