WORLD CUP USA ’94 / THE FIRST ROUND : Bolivia, South Korea Can’t Produce a Goal : Group C: Seventeen games into the tournament, the first scoreless draw leaves both teams winless in the World Cup.

It took 17 games for the World Cup to produce the dreaded scoreless tie.

Bolivia and South Korea, both yet to win a game in their World Cup history, Thursday night played that 0-0 tie. That it took so long for one to occur underscores the offensive flavor of much of the first round.

Neither team went into a defensive shell, either.

South Korea had two late scoring chances denied after Bolivian defender Luis Cristaldo was ejected with seven minutes left.

But the Bolivians enjoyed the better play. Sloppy finishing and South Korea’s disciplined defense kept them scoreless. South Korea’s speedy forwards used counterattacks to try to force mistakes in Bolivia’s shaky defense.

The Koreans, who tied 2-2 with Spain, might sneak into the second round for the first time if they can tie defending champion Germany on Monday. Bolivia needs a victory over Spain the same day to have any chance of advancing.

Bolivia was missing striker Marco Etcheverry, starting a two-game suspension after being sent off for kicking Lothar Matthaeus in a 1-0 opening loss to Germany. And Cristaldo was sidelined with two yellow card warnings, the second in the 83rd minute forcing Bolivia to play shorthanded.

Goalie Carlos Trucco made several strong saves to preserve the tie, including one on Ha Seok-ju in extra time.