North Korea striker Jong Il-gwan goes in between two Saudi Arabia defenders. (Photo : Getty Images)
A highly-anticipated match between the top two teams of the AFC 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers Group H, North Korea (4-0-1, 13 points) and Uzbekistan (3-1-0, 9 points), is set to happen at the Pakhtakor Markaziy Stadium in Tashkent on Thursday, November 12.
North Korea beat Uzbekistan, 4-2, in a high-scoring matchup during their maiden meeting at the Kim Il-sung Stadium in Pyongyang last June 16 with goals each from Pak Kwang-ryong, Jang Kuk-chol, Ro Hak-su, and Ri Hyok-chol in the first half of the game.
Samvel Babayan's wards fought back with two goals in the second half, courtesy of Anzur Ismailov and Sardor Rashidov, but it was all the White Wolves could do to make a match out of it.
Uzbekistan aims for a payback this time at their home field, but North Korea would be a tough nut to crack.
Both teams are coming off victories in their most recent games with Chollima nipping Yemen, 1-0, via ESPN, and Oq Boʻrilar routing Bahrain, 4-0, as per Soccerway.
Forward Jong Il-gwan provided the lone goal for Kim Chang-bok's squad while Igor Sergeev, Odil Ahmedov, Eldor Shomurodov, and Rashidov contributed one goal each for the Wolves.
The predicted result is a close but highly entertaining 3-2 win for North Korea. Uzbekistan will take a 2-0 lead in the first half, but Chollima will fight back in the second to pull off a come from behind victory.
Uzbekistan starting lineup (3-5-2 formation): Lobanov; Krimets, Ismailov, Tukhtakhodjaev; Haydarov, Djeparov, Ahmedov, Rashidov, Andreev; Sergeev, Bikmaev
North Korea starting lineup (5-2-3 formation): Ri Myong-guk; Jang, Kang, Jon, Sim, Ri Yong-chol; Ri Kum-chol, Ri Chol-myong; Ri Hyok-chol, An, Jong
