North Korea vs Qatar Player Ratings as the two sides play out an entertaining 2-2 draw under the lights in Laos

North Korea took on Qatar at the New Laos National Stadium on Tuesday, September 10 in the second match of the Third Round in Group A of the AFC World Cup Qualifiers.

Both sides entered this game on the back of defeats. North Korea fell 1-0 to Uzbekistan in their opening game, while Qatar were humbled 3-1 by the UAE in theirs. They were both looking to turn things around in this game as they were in search of a win.

The hosts got off to a great start and even grabbed the lead just 19 minutes into the contest via winger Il-song Ri’s lovely effort. However, their high lasted for a very short time as skipper Kuk Chol Jang was shown a straight red card in the 28^th minute for a last-man foul on Almoez Ali. Qatari captain Akram Afif stepped up and converted the spot-kick to make it 1-1.

Ali then got on the scoresheet himself as he scored on the cusp of half-time to give Qatar a one-goal lead heading into the break.

North Korea were not ready to back down, though, and equalized just six minutes into the second half. Kuk Chol Kang’s stunning long-range free-kick left Qatari custodian Meshaal Aissa Barsham stranded in goal as it flew into the back of the net from around 30 yards. Just a few minutes later, the sky gave way and there was heavy rainfall and water-logging on the pitch as a result. The referee paused the game for around 20 minutes.

Both teams came out looking to try and win the game with a little over 30 minutes to play. The visitors dominated possession but were unable to find a goal despite 16 shots as North Korea vs Qatar ended in a 2-2 draw. On that note, let’s take a look at the player ratings.

North Korea National Football Team Player Ratings vs Qatar

Goalkeeper

Kang Ju Hyok – 7/10

Hyok made four saves throughout the game, of which two were from shots taken inside the box. He also made four high claims from crosses.

Defenders

Choe Ok Chol – 6.5/10

He put in a decent performance and won three duels, making three clearances, two tackles and two interceptions.

Kuk Chol Jang – 4.5/10

He committed a last-man foul in just the 22^nd minute, which was a rash decision for a captain and was shown a straight red.

Kim Yu Song – 6.5/10

Song won two duels and made five clearances, one block and one interception. He also played three long balls.

Kim Pom Hyok – 7/10

Hyok was solid at the back as he won six duels, making five clearances, two interceptions and two blocks. He also attempted one shot on target.

Midfielders

Chung-song Paek – 7/10

The winger had a good game as he played one key pass, won seven duels and completed three dribbles.

Kim Kuk Bom – 6.5/10

He won six duels and made two clearances and one interception.

Kuk Chol Kang – 7.5/10

He scored a stunning free-kick early in the second half. He also played two key passes, five long balls and won two duels.

Il-song Ri – 8/10

He opened the scoring in North Korea vs Qatar with a sharp strike early in the contest. He also completed all four of his dribbles and won 10 duels.

Forwards

Han Kwang-Song – 6.5/10

He won three duels and attempted two shots, but neither were on target.

Jo-Guk Ri – 6.5/10

He had an ineffective game with no shots on target.

Substitutes

Kum-song Jong – 7/10

He was brought on for additional cover in the first half after Jang was sent off and put in a strong display.

Kuk-jin Kim – 5.5/10

In a strange turn of events, he was brought on in the 50^th minute but was subbed off after just 32 minutes on the pitch.

Ju-Song Choe – 6.5/10

He came on in the 82^nd minute and had a decent game.

Qatar National Football Team Player Ratings vs North Korea

Goalkeeper

Meshaal Aissa Barsham – 6.5/10

He made three decent saves throughout the game but was beaten by two good finishes during North Korea vs Qatar.

Defenders

Pedro Miguel – 6.5/10

He won six duels and made three clearances and two interceptions in a decent defensive performance.

Tarek Salman – 6.5/10

Salman won two duels and made one clearance and one block. He was also booked for a foul.

Lucas Mendes – 7/10

Mendes won two duels and also made one interception. He was proactive in going forward, playing two key passes and a remarkable eight long balls.

Midfielders

Abdulla Al Yazidi – 6.5/10

Yazidi put in a good performance as he played one key pass and won his only duel.

Jassem Gaber Abdulsallam – 7/10

He passed the ball with 86% accuracy, including two key passes and six long balls. He also won four duels.

Ahmed Fathi – 6.5/10

He passed the ball with 88% accuracy and won five duels in a decent midfield display.

Ibrahim Al-Hassan – 6.5/10

He passed the ball with 85% accuracy but none of them caused any immediate danger for North Korea. He won just one duel.

Homam Ahmed – 6.5/10

He won four of his five duels and also played one key pass in a decent display.

Forwards

Akram Afif – 8.5/10

Apart from scoring a goal, Afif was highly involved in a lot of Qatar’s moves. He passed the ball with 83% accuracy, including four key passes and six long balls.

Almoez Ali – 8/10

Ali earned the penalty which his captain scored from and then grabbed one goal later in the game as well.

Substitutes

Ismael Mohammed – 6.5/10

Just like the North Koreans, Qatar too made an early change but Mohammed failed to deliver what was expected of him.

Abdelrahman Moustafa – 7/10

Another surprising first-half change, Moustafa had a decent game. He passed the ball with 92% accuracy, including three key passes and also won three duels.

Ahmed Al-Rawi – 6.5/10

He came on during the half-time break of North Korea vs Qatar but could not make much of an impact.

Mohammed Waad – 6.5/10

He came on late in the game and played fairly well.

Edmilson Junior – 6.5/10

Edmilson came on late in the contest but was unable to make an impact.