AFC Asian Qualifiers
In an exciting contest played under challenging conditions, DPR Korea took the lead only for Qatar to edge ahead before the East Asian side forced a draw which secured both sides their first point of the campaign.
Both sides made changes to their starting line-up following opening day defeats with DPR Korea having gone down 1-0 to Uzbekistan, while Qatar were stunned 3-1 by UAE.
DPR Korea had the first look on goal with Kim Pom Hyok testing Qatar keeper Meshaal Barsham from distance in the ninth minute after Kang Kuk Chol’s set-up off a set-piece situation.
Qatar threatened in the 13th minute with Abdullah Al Yazidi pulling his effort from distance over the bar before Almoez Ali almost opened the two-time AFC Asian Cup champions’ account from inside the area when he struck the left post after connecting to Abdullah Al Yazidi’s long cross.
The momentum shifted in DPR Korea’s favour in the 19th minute when Ri Il Song broke the deadlock in stunning fashion, collecting a long pass from Han Kwang Song before cutting inside to strike home a powerful shot.
Qatar, however, fought back and were rewarded with a penalty after DPR Korea captain Jang Kuk Chol was shown the red card for his foul on Akram Afif, who made no mistake from the spot in the 31st minute.
Ali then showed his class when he struck Qatar’s second with a clinical finish from just above the area in the 44th minute.
DPR Korea started the second half on the front foot with Choe Ok Chol threatening in the 49th minute before Ri Il Song missed with his effort from inside the box a minute later.
The East Asian side, however, were not to be denied and leveled the score in the 51st minute through Kang Kuk Chol, who struck his free-kick into the top left corner of the net with the match then suspended in the 57th minute due to bad weather.
Qatar should have scored a minute into the resumption but Musa Al Rawi failed to control the ball inside a packed six-yard-box following Homam El Amin’s cutback, while DPR Korea keeper Kang Ju Hyok tried to beat Barsham from his area in the 69th minute, only for his effort to come up short.
Substitute Lucas Mendes forced a fine save from Kang Ju Hyok in the 87th minute before the DPR Korea keeper made another stop to deny Akram Afif in added time as the sides shared the points.