World Cup Qualifying - Asia | Third Round

Oct 15, 2024 at 3pm UK

Stadion im. Dolena Omurzakova

Kyrgyzstan vs North Korea

Match preview

Kyrgyzstan are in a similar position to China in Group C, having lost all three of their opening matches in the third round of AFC World Cup qualifying. This means that their chances of qualifying for the tournament in North America in 2026 are looking pretty slim.

The White Falcons started their October international matches with a big loss at the home of the 2022 World Cup hosts, Qatar. The hosts beat their struggling visitors 3-1 with goals from Almoez Ali, Ibrahim Al-Hassan and an own goal from Tamirlan Kozubaev.

Kyrgyzstan are on the brink of their fourth match in the section, and they're stuck at the bottom of Group A with no points. They're four points behind Qatar, who are in the lowest place that allows progression to the next round of qualifying.

The White Falcons put up a good fight during their most recent home match back at the start of September, but goals from Joel Kojo and Odijon Abdurahmonov couldn't prevent the hosts at Stadium Im from losing 3-2 against the early pacesetters, Uzbekistan.

While their Under-20 women's team is doing well on the global stage, North Korea's senior men are struggling to qualify for a first World Cup finals since South Africa in 2010. Tuesday's visitors haven't won a match in Group A of the third-round qualifying yet.

On a positive note, Chollima have recorded some respectable back-to-back draws with Qatar and the United Arab Emirates since a narrow loss to leaders Uzbekistan on 5 September. This shows that North Korea are not far off from converting minor points into a much-needed maximum.

It seemed like North Korea were heading for a second defeat in the section when Yahya Al Ghassani put the hosts ahead at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on Thursday night, but Jong Il-Gwan equalised in the last minute against the UAE in Al Ain.

Currently in fifth place, five points behind second-placed Iran, Chollima will be looking to secure their first victory of the third round on Tuesday night when they play in Kyrgyzstan. It would be a great way to keep their World Cup dreams alive into the New Year.

Recent Performance

Kyrgyzstan World Cup Qualifying - Asia form:WDDLLL

North Korea World Cup Qualifying - Asia form:LWWLDD

Injuries and suspensions

Kyrgyzstan

No sidelined players

North Korea

3 Kuk-chol Jang

Possible starting lineups

Kyrgyzstan possible starting lineup:

Tokotaev; Mischenko, Zarypbekov, Kichin, Kenzhebaev; Abdurahmonov, Uzdenov, Shukurov; Uulu, Kojo

North Korea possible starting lineup:

Ju-Hyok; Ok-Chol, Kum-Song, Yu-Song, Pom-Hyok; Chung-Song, Kuk-Chol, Kuk-Bom, Il-Song; Kwang-Song, Kuk-Jin