Qatar thrashes North Korea, clings to 2026 World Cup play-off hopes
Qatar thrashed North Korea 5-1 in a Group A game of the AFC Asian Qualifiers at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on Thursday to keep their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup alive.
Captain Akram Afif played the role of matchwinner to perfection. He helped Qatar reach 10 points, the same as UAE, but nine behind leaders Iran and six adrift of Uzbekistan. North Korea are at the bottom of the pile with just two points to their credit.
Only the top two teams will automatically qualify for the quadrennial tournament.
Qatar, who are hoping to qualify for the FIFA World Cup on merit after hosting the 2022 edition, have the work cut out for them. While direct qualification appears to be a distant dream, they still have a chance to qualify as the third and fourth-placed teams will advance to a play-off, with two berths up for grabs.
Qatar and North Korea, who played out a 2-2 draw last September, were evenly matched in the opening 15 minutes.
Afif, who stood unmarked, blasted in from the centre of the box following a set-piece by Mostafa Meshaal in the 17th minute. North Korea immediately fought back, and it was only a full-length save by Qatar custodian Meshaal Barsham that prevented Kang Kuk-Chol’s 25-yard attempt from going in.
Two-time Asian champions Qatar added their second in the 23rd when Afif’s through pass from his half found Ahmed Al Ganehi’s feet. He outran North Korean defender Kim Jin-Hyok to slot the ball in.
North Korea almost reduced the deficit in the 30th, but Barsham got his fingertips to force the ball over the crossbar. Kim Yu-Son added to North Korea’s woes as he hit an own goal in the 34th.
The East Asians were more dominant after the break, but it was Qatar who once again found the back of the net with a 56th-minute brilliance 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, put the match beyond North Korea’s reach three minutes later. Pak Kwang-Hun pulled one back in the 86th minute for North Korea.
Qatar will next meet Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday while North Korea face the UAE.
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