Doha: Qatar’s struggling start to the crucial FIFA 2026 World Cup Asian Qualifiers round continued after they were held to an exciting 2-2 draw by 10-man North Korea in the rain-affected tie in Vientiane, Laos yesterday.
The Asian champions, who lost to the United Arab Emirates last week, failed to capitalise on a 28th minute red card to North Korea captain Jang Kuk Chol as Sin Yong Nam’s side produced a gallant show to earn a point in a game that swung both sides.
With a solitary point in the third round of the qualifiers, Qatar are placed fifth in the six-team Group A just above Kyrgyzstan with North Korea edging them on goal difference.
The Marquez Lopez’s men are aiming for a top-two finish in the group to ensure direct World Cup entry but the North Koreans have made the task tougher for Qatar, who will now aim to bounce back when the competition resumes next month.
The Vientiane’s New Laos National Stadium yesterday was a site of spectacular goals with Ri Il-Song handing North Korea a lead in 19th minute with a stunning hit from outside the box.
Qatar playmaker Akram Afif equalised with a spot kick in 31st minute after he was brought down by Jang Kuk Chol, who also received the marching orders for the offense.
Almoez Ali then showed his brilliance, firing the ball in the top right corner from outside the box to put Qatar ahead one minute before half-time. North Korea, who played as hosts at the neutral venue, levelled the game in 51st minute with Kuk Chol Kang scoring the game’s another astonishing goal from a set piece from around 10 yards outside the box.
The match was suspended in 57th minute due to heavy rain but no further goals were scored when it resumed after a 20-minute break.
Like against the UAE at home on Thursday, Qatar heavily dominated the ball possession taking around two dozens of shots with six strikes on target in the entire match.
“We started the game with an attacking approach as our goal was to collect three points. We dominated the match and were close to achieving our goal but the stoppage due to rain changed the course of the match. This is a draw which tastes like a defeat,” Lopez said after the match.
“It’s true we were playing against a depleted side but with the rain pouring down heavily it made difficult for us in keeping up the pace and passing the ball accurately especially against a defensive formation,” the Qatar coach added.
Lopez had made two changes in his starting line-up replacing Abdullah Al Yazidi and Homam Al Amin with Mohammed Waad and Ismaeel Mohammed.
The match got off to a fast pace witnessing early exchanges with Qatar teenager Ibrahim Al Hassan and Han Kwang-Song missing the targets.
Qatar goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham then rose high to deny Kim Pom-Hyok’s fiery shot from a distance in the ninth minute.
Qatar also had a golden opportunity to score early but Almoez hit the left post after receiving a long ball from Al Yazidi, three minutes before Ri Il-Song broke the deadlock with a superb hit after an assist from Kwang-Song.
Afif made no mistake with a low hit to convert the penalty, with Almoez – surrounded by three North Korean players – finding the space to gain lead after an assist by substitute Abdulrahman Moustafa.
Akram Afif (left) celebrates with Almoez Ali after scoring Qatar's first goal yesterday.
Choe Ok Chol and Ri Il Song threatened Qatar early in the second half before Kuk Chol Kang found the top left off a free-kick to bring North Korea back into the match.
Qatar created many chances to find a winner after the resumption and were close to finding it but North Korean goalkeeper Kang Ju-Hyok saved his side from defeat brilliantly saving a Lucas Mendis shot in 87th minute.
The eight minute of stoppage time also saw desperate efforts by Al Annabi but the North Koreans held them well before celebrating the draw like a win.
The Asian champions will now host Kyrgyzstan at the Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium on October 10, five days before travelling to Tehran for a clash against Iran.
“It’s right that we have just one point but we have eight matches left in which we will do our best to achieve wins and earn the World Cup qualification,” said Lopez.
Meanwhile, Uzbekistan and Iran claimed their second straight wins to lead Group A after Match Day 2.
Uzbekistan edged hosts Kyrgyzstan 3-2 in Bishkek while Iran defeated UAE 1-0 in Al Ain.
