North Korea 2-3 Iran Player ratings: Mohammad Mohebi nets a double in nervy World Cup qualifier win

Iran saw off a spirited North Korean side 3-2 in a FIFA World Cup qualifier game on Thursday. A double from Mohammad Mohebi after Mehdi Ghayedi’s opener had Team Melli 3-0 up in the first half. However, things started to take a turn when Shojae Khalilzadeh got himself sent off early into the restart. Mehdi Taremi then struck an own goal for North Korea, before Kim Yu-Song pulled one more back for the Chollima. They pushed for an equalizer that would have completed a memorable comeback, but fell short in their endeavors. Here are the player ratings for North Korea and Iran:

North Korea Player Ratings vs Iran

Goalkeeper

Kang Ju Hyok – 7

Conceded thrice but what a spectacular performance from the guy! Made eight saves in the match to prevent Iran from having a rout.

Defenders

Choe Ok Chol – 7

Solid in positioning and displayed excellent vision; registered five clearances and won six ground duels.

Kuk Chol Jang – 7

Strong in the air and held the fort well.

Kim Yu Song – 8

Reduced their deficit further by scoring their second goal.

Kim Pom Hyok – 7

Made four clearances, blocked two shots and won five aerial duels.

Midfielders

Chung-song Paek – 6.5

Drove forward to great effect and laid a couple of crosses, but was sloppy in possession.

Kye Tam – 5.5

Struggled to win his duels and didn’t look solid in defense.

Kuk Chol Kang – 6

Excellent distribution of the ball but not enough impact overall.

Ju-Song Choe – 5

Was on the fringes for much of the game.

Forwards

Han Kwang-Song – 5.5

Didn’t see the ball much and looked lost upfront.

Jo-guk Ri – 6

Passed the ball around well and also regained possession expertly a few times.

Substitutes

Un-Chol Ri – 6

Made some good passes.

Kwang-hun Pak – 7

Laid three key passes.

Il Gwan Jong – 5

Barely got a whiff of the ball.

Kum-song Jong – N/A

Came on for the final few minutes to see the game off.

Manager

Yong-Nam Sin – 7

He should be proud of his side’s valiant display tonight.

Iran Player Ratings vs North Korea

Goalkeeper

Alireza Beiranvand – 6

Was helpless with both of North Korea’s goals.

Defenders

Aria Yousefi – 7

Strong in the air and drove forward to make a few good chances.

Shoja Khalilzadeh – 5

Passed the ball around well but got himself sent off after the break that left Iran to play with 10-men for over 40 minutes.

Ali Nemati – 7

With three clearances, two shots blocked and three interceptions, it was a heroic display from Nemati.

Milad Mohammadi – 6

Couldn’t get involved much at either ends.

Midfielders

Seyed Mohammad Karimi – 5

A total non-factor for Iran today with no genuine impact.

Saeid Ezatolahi – 7

What an incredible fireball of energy; fought hard for possession, passed the ball around well and never gave North Korean players a moment’s rest.

Mohammad Mohebi – 9.5

Struck two quickfire goals towards the end of the first half that consolidated Iran’s win.

Forwards

Mehdi Taremi – 8.5

A creative inspiration for Iran today with a hat-trick of assists.

Mehdi Ghayedi – 8.5

Fired Team Melli in front with a clinical effort.

Sardar Azmoun – 7

Turned a creator for Iran today and came away with flying colors.

Substitutes

Hossein Kanaani – 5.5

Didn’t see much of the ball.

Mohammad Ghorbani – 5

Totally on the fringes.

Alireza Jahanbakhsh – 5.5

Offered no great shakes.

Omid Noorafkan – 6

Strong in the air.

Shahriar Moghanlou – 5

Was on the periphery of the match.

Manager

Amir Ghalenoei – 7

Led his team to another win although their defense came under question in the second half.

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