Japan and South Korea hailed their successful staging of the World Cup finals as a triumph for Asia and said it had helped relations between the two countries reach a "completely new dimension".

In a joint statement issued before the final between Brazil and Germany, Japanese and Korean officials hit back at those from more established soccer countries who had doubted that they could successfully stage the first finals to be co-hosted.

There was considerable concern beforehand that old rivalries and animosities - the Korean peninsula was a colonial possession of Japan's from 1910 to 1945 - between the countries would prevent them linking up sufficiently to stage a successful tournament.

"The organising committees of both countries have received the maximum plaudits from all of our "football family"... for our highly refined and smooth tournament management," the statement said.

"The World Cup tournament, first inaugurated in 1930, left the European and American continents this time to grace Asian shores...

"Prior to the start of the tournament there were some who voiced misgivings about the likelihood of success in convening the World Cup in a region that is not yet a developed 'footballing' continent.

"These fears and misgivings, however, have proven to be groundless, as has been amply demonstrated by the exemplary tournament organisation by the two organising committees and the outstanding performance of the two home country teams."

South Korea reached the semi-finals of the 2002 finals, after not winning a game in their previous five World Cup appearances, while Japan reached the second round.

"The national teams of Korea and Japan both cleared the first round of competition, and acquitted themselves valourously," the statement said.

"These results are something that will remain in Asia as a whole and will, without doubt, provide a significant incentive for other Asian countries to participate actively in future FIFA World Cup tournaments.

"We are proud to be members of Asia." Korea and Japan have a history of mutual suspicion and squabbled in the run-up to the tournament over World Cup arrangements.

The statement, issued by the two countries' football associations and organising committees, said the co-hosting was a "truly historical event" in diplomatic terms.

"The joint hosting of the FIFA World Cup by Korea and Japan has ushered in a completely new dimension in bilateral relations between the two countries.

"As host countries, the desire for the FIFA World Cup to be a stunning success permeated all levels of society and persons concerned in both countries, and exchange on the supporter level, the grassroots level and the civic level became a wave that continues to swell in size and vigour."