In their sixth game of the group stage of AFC World Cup qualifying, North Korea will play Uzbekistan on Tuesday at Lao National Stadium.
The home team only have two points, are last in their six-team group and were beaten 3-2 by Iran on November 14, while their opponents are second with 10 points and currently occupy the second of two automatic qualification spots to World Cup 2026.
Match preview
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North Korea will be disappointed by their showing against Iran for a number of reasons, with the first being that they trailed 3-0 by the half-time interval and had faced 11 shots on target in the first 45 minutes.
Iran were reduced to 10 men in the 51st minute, and while it is difficult to come back from a three-goal deficit even with a player advantage, Chollima will believe they should have at least earned a point given they wrestled momentum away from Iran after scoring two goals before the 60th minute.
Head coach Yong-Nam Sin's side have now failed to win any of their last five AFC World Cup qualifiers, drawing two and losing three times in that period
Sin's team are in poor form considering they have not won any of their most recent seven games and have succumbed to defeat in seven of their last 13 matches, winning three and drawing three.
North Korea's form as the home team is somewhat better than their overall form, as while the country lost one and drew one of their last two fixtures at home, they did emerge victorious in three of the prior four.
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Opponents Uzbekistan began their qualifying campaign with three wins and one draw, but they lost 3-2 against Qatar in their fifth outing on November 14.
Tuesday's visitors will be especially disappointed by the result given they had levelled the scoreline in the 80th minute after initially trailing 2-0 by the 41st minute but conceded a third goal in the 12th minute of second-half stoppage time.
The White Wolves' record of seven goals scored and five conceded makes them the group's joint third-best offensive and third-best defensive team, though their three clean sheets is the joint most alongside leaders Iran.
While manager Srecko Katanec will be frustrated by his side's loss against Qatar, he will still be pleased that his team have only lost once in 90 minutes in their last 21 outings, winning on 13 occasions.
Uzbekistan's away form has also been impressive, with the nation having won seven, drawn two and lost two of their 11 most recent fixtures on the road.
Team News
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Striker Jo-guk Ri was taken off as a result of injury for North Korea against Iran, and if he is unavailable on Tuesday, Kum-song Jong may replace him in the starting lineup and partner Han Kwang-Song up front.
Midfielder Kye Tam was substituted for Un-Chol Ri last time out, and the latter could be joined in a double pivot by Kuk Chol Kang.
Goalkeeper Kang Ju Hyok is likely to be shielded by centre-backs Kuk Chol Jang and Kim Yu Song.
As for the visitors, they may have to contend with the absence of striker Eldor Shomurodov due to injury, so expect Jaloliddin Masharipov to come into the XI.
Masharipov is likely to be supported by forwards Azizbek Turgunboev and Abbosbek Fayzullaev, who will start in front of a double pivot consisting of Odildzhon Khamrobekov and Otabek Shukurov.
Elsewhere, Uzbekistan used three centre-backs against Qatar, and they could field Husniddin Alikulov, Abdukodir Khusanov and Abdulla Abdullaev in defence once again.
North Korea possible starting lineup:
Kang; Choe, Kuk CJ, Kim Y, Kim P; Chung-song, Un-Chol, Kuk CK, Ju-Song; Han, Kum-song
Uzbekistan possible starting lineup:
Yusupov; Alikulov, Khusanov, Abdullaev; Alizhonov, Khamrobekov, Shukurov, Nasrullaev; Turgunboev, Fayzullaev; Masharipov
We say: North Korea 0-2 Uzbekistan
North Korea are in poor form and have struggled for wins of late, and considering Uzbekistan are in strong form themselves, the visitors should be favourites heading into Tuesday's clash.
Additionally, the away side have proven their ability to keep clean sheets during the group stage, and they could prevent their opponents from scoring.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
Iran
Kyrgyzstan
North Korea
Qatar
UAE
Uzbekistan
Iraq
Jordan
Kuwait
Oman
Palestine
South Korea
Australia
Bahrain
China
Indonesia
Japan
Saudi Arabia
