Match report

Qatar Defeats North Korea 5-1 in World Cup Qualification Asia

Qatar
Qatar
5–1
FT
North Korea
North Korea
Mar 20, 2025

Qatar put on a dominant display to defeat North Korea 5-1 in a World Cup Qualification Asia match. Early goals from Akram Afif and A. Al Ganehi, along with an own goal, set the tone. North Korea suffered setbacks with multiple yellow cards and a red card upgrade for Jong Hwi-Nam. Despite a late goal by Pak Kwang-Hun, Qatar sealed the victory with further goals from A. Al Rawi and A. Alaa.

Key Facts

  • • Final Score: Qatar 5-1 North Korea
  • • Goals: Akram Afif (17'), A. Al Ganehi (23'), Kim Yu-Song (own goal, 34'), A. Al Rawi (56'), A. Alaa (66')
  • • North Korea's Goal: Pak Kwang-Hun (86')
  • • Red Card Upgrade: Jong Hwi-Nam (11')
  • • Yellow Cards: Jong Hwi-Nam, Kuk-jin Kim, Ri Jo-Guk (North Korea), Tarek Salman (Qatar)

Lineups

Qatar

Formation: 3-4-1-2

Starting XI

  • 22 M. Barsham (G)
  • 5 T. Salman (D)
  • 2 Pedro Miguel (D)
  • 12 Lucas Mendes (D)
  • 13 M. Naji (M)
  • 20 A. Fathi (M)
  • 17 M. Meshaal (M)
  • 14 H. Al Amin (M)
  • 10 A. Afif (F)
  • 15 A. Al Rawi (F)
  • 19 A. Al Ganehi (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 M. Abunada
  • 3 A. Hassan
  • 4 A. Suhail
  • 6 A. Hatem
  • 7 A. Alaa
  • 8 J. Gaber
  • 9 Edmilson Junior
  • 11 Y. Abdurisag
  • 16 B. Khoukhi
  • 18 M. Surag
  • 21 S. Zakaria
  • 23 A. Yousif

North Korea

Formation: 4-4-2

Starting XI

  • 1 Kang Ju-Hyok (G)
  • 2 Kim Jin-Hyuk
  • 5 Jong Hwi-Nam
  • 16 Kim Yu-Song
  • 19 Kim Sung-Hye (D)
  • 20 Paek Chung-Song
  • 15 M. Ra
  • 10 Ri Il-song
  • 17 Kang Kuk-Chol
  • 7 Kim Kuk-Jin
  • 9 Ri Jo-Guk (F)

Substitutes

  • 3 Jang Kuk-Chol
  • 4 R. Kum-Chol
  • 6 Kye Tam
  • 11 Pak Kwang-Hun
  • 12 Choe Ryong II
  • 13 Choe Kuk
  • 14 Ri Kwang-Myong
  • 18 Hong Kil-ryong
  • 21 Yu Kwang-Jun
  • 22 Han Chung-Guk
  • 23 Jong Kum-Song

Timeline

  1. North Korea
    11' North Korea Card · Yellow Card
    Jong Hwi-Nam

    Foul

  2. North Korea
    11' North Korea Var · Card upgrade
    Jong Hwi-Nam
  3. Qatar
    17' Qatar Goal · Normal Goal
    Akram Afif · Assist: M. Meshaal
  4. Qatar
    23' Qatar Goal · Normal Goal
    A. Al Ganehi · Assist: Akram Afif
  5. Qatar
    34' Qatar Goal · Own Goal
    Kim Yu-Song
  6. North Korea
    46' North Korea subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Kim Jin-Hyuk · On: Choe Ryong II
  7. North Korea
    46' North Korea subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Ri Il-song · On: Choe Kuk
  8. North Korea
    46' North Korea subst · Substitution 3
    Off: M. Ra · On: Han Chung-Guk
  9. North Korea
    49' North Korea Card · Yellow Card
    Kuk-jin Kim

    Foul

  10. Qatar
    56' Qatar Goal · Normal Goal
    A. Al Rawi · Assist: Akram Afif
  11. Qatar
    62' Qatar subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Lucas Mendes · On: A. Suhail
  12. Qatar
    62' Qatar subst · Substitution 2
    Off: A. Al Rawi · On: A. Alaa
  13. Qatar
    62' Qatar subst · Substitution 3
    Off: A. Fathi · On: J. Gaber
  14. North Korea
    65' North Korea Card · Yellow Card
    Ri Jo-Guk

    Argument

  15. Qatar
    66' Qatar Goal · Normal Goal
    A. Alaa · Assist: Akram Afif
  16. Qatar
    68' Qatar subst · Substitution 4
    Off: H. Al Amin · On: Abdelkarim Hassan
  17. North Korea
    70' North Korea subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Kim Kuk-Jin · On: Pak Kwang-Hun
  18. Qatar
    76' Qatar subst · Substitution 5
    Off: M. Naji · On: Edmilson Junior
  19. North Korea
    84' North Korea subst · Substitution 5
    Off: Paek Chung-Song · On: Ri Kwang-Myong
  20. North Korea
    86' North Korea Goal · Normal Goal
    Pak Kwang-Hun · Assist: Ri Kwang-Myong
  21. Qatar
    90'+4 Qatar Card · Yellow Card
    Tarek Salman

    Foul

Match Stats

Stat Qatar North Korea
Fouls 10 19
Pass Accuracy 82% 82%
Offsides 2 2
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 12 12
Corners 4 7
Total Passes 495 428
Yellow Cards 1 3
Blocked Shots 0 4
Shots on Target 9 6
xG — —
Shots off Target 3 2
Possession 53% 47%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 406 353
Shots Inside Box 7 4
Saves 5 5
Shots Outside Box 5 8

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ The early own goal by Kim Yu-Song in the 34th minute gave Qatar a commanding lead and shifted the momentum in their favor.
  • ▸ Akram Afif's second assist to A. Alaa for the fourth goal (66') sealed the victory for Qatar, despite North Korea's late consolation goal by Pak Kwang-Hun.