Both sides, who played out a 2-2 draw last September, were evenly matched in the first 15 minutes, until an unmarked Akram Afif blasted in from the centre of the box following a set-piece by Mostafa Meshaal in the 17th minute.

The action swung then swung to the opposite end of the pitch three minutes later, with Qatar custodian Meshaal Barsham forced into a full-length save from Kang Kuk-Chol’s attempt from almost 25 yards.

The two-time AFC Asian Cup™ champions added their second in the 23rd minute when AFC Player of the Year Afif sent a brilliant through pass from his half that found Ahmed Al Ganehi, who outpaced defender Kim Jin Hyok and sent the ball from inside the 18 yard box past an outstretched Kang Ju Hyok.

DPR Korea almost pulled one back in the 30th minute but keeper Barsham got his fingertips to a direct free-kick from Kang Kuk-Chol to push the ball over the crossbar.

Kim Yu Son then added salt to injury in the 34th minute when he bundled the ball into his own net after intercepting a pass from Homam Ahmed intended for Murad Hussein.

The East Asians started the more dominant side after the break, but it was Qatar who found the back of the net again with another moment of brilliance in the 56th minute from Afif, who sent a defence-splitting pass from his half to Ahmed Al Rawi, who ran down the middle and easily put the ball past Kang Ju Hyok.

Ahmed Alaadin, who had come on in the 62nd minute, put the match beyond DPR Korea’s reach three minutes later when he received Afif’s quickly taken free-kick, beat the keeper and slotted home before Pak Kwang Hun pulled one back in the 86th minute for DPR Korea.

Qatar will meet Kyrgyz Republic on Tuesday while DPR Korea face the UAE.