Qatar and DPR Korea settle for thrilling 2-2 draw in AFC Asian Qualifiers
VIENTIANE,Laos: In a pulsating Group A encounter of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 on Tuesday, DPR Korea and Qatar battled to a hard-fought 2-2 draw. Both teams, eager to bounce back after opening-day defeats, made strategic changes to their starting line-ups, resulting in a fiercely competitive match that saw dramatic swings in momentum.
DPR Korea drew first blood in the 19th minute when Ri Il Song latched onto a long pass from Han Kwang Song, cutting inside and unleashing a powerful strike to give his side the lead. Qatar responded swiftly, and their pressure paid off in the 31st minute when DPR Korea captain Jang Kuk Chol was sent off for fouling Akram Afif, who calmly converted the ensuing penalty to equalize.
Qatar continued to push forward, and Almoez Ali put them ahead just before halftime with a clinical finish from the edge of the area. However, DPR Korea refused to back down and found the equalizer in the 51st minute through Kang Kuk Chol’s superb free-kick that sailed into the top left corner.
The match was briefly suspended in the 57th minute due to bad weather, but upon resumption, both teams had chances to snatch a winner. Qatar came closest, but DPR Korea’s goalkeeper Kang Ju Hyok made crucial saves, including a last-gasp stop to deny Akram Afif, ensuring both sides secured their first point of the campaign.
