Uzbekistan vs Korea DPR Match Analysis & Prediction
05/09/2024 5:00 pm
Uzbekistan will play host to North Korea at the Milliy Stadion on Thursday evening for a World Cup 2026 qualifying tie.
The two nations are set to compete in Group A in the third round of qualifying alongside Iran, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Kyrgyzstan.
Uzbekistan are in the hunt to reach their first-ever World Cup after successfully negotiating the second round of qualifying.
They posted four wins and two draws in their six matches in the second round to finish in the top two of Group E alongside Iran.
A strong defence eventually played a key role in Uzbekistan’s progress to the third round, with Srecko Katanec’s side keeping three clean sheets in their final four matches of the second round.
At the very least, Uzbekistan will want to secure third of fourth position which would give them another chance to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
With Uzbekistan looking to get off to a positive start, they may be able to take confidence from the fact that they have won their last three encounters with North Korea.
On the other hand, North Korea are looking to reach the World Cup finals for the third time and the first time since 2010.
They managed to progress through the second round of qualifying despite forfeiting a scheduled home game against Japan in March.
Sin Yong-nam’s side took nine points from their five other matches to secure second spot in Group B after finishing two points clear of third-placed Syria.
North Korea have prepared for the third round of qualifying by playing two friendlies against Jordan last month, playing out a goalless draw before losing 2-1 just two days later.
They will now travel to Tashkent for their first encounter with Uzbekistan since suffering a heavy 4-0 defeat in a friendly in June 2019.
North Korea will be looking to secure a head-to-head victory for the first time since posting a 4-2 win in World Cup qualifying in 2015.
Uzbekistan vs. Korea DPR Head to head
In the previous nine meetings between these two teams, Uzbekistan have claimed six victories while North Korea have won one, and they have drawn in two. North Korea have scored seven goals and conceded 16 in the process.
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10/01/2015Uzbekistan1Korea DPR0AFC Asian Cup
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16/06/2015Korea DPR4Uzbekistan2AFC World Cup Qualifiers
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12/11/2015Uzbekistan3Korea DPR1AFC World Cup Qualifiers
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13/10/2018Uzbekistan2Korea DPR0Friendlies
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07/06/2019Uzbekistan4Korea DPR0Friendlies
Uzbekistan Team News
Utkir Yuspov is set to start in goal for Uzbekistan, with Husniddin Alikulov, Abdukodir Khusanov and Rustam Ashurmatov expected to operate as the three centre-backs.
Roma’s Eldor Shomurodov is Uzbekistan’s all-time leading goalscorer, and he will look to add to his 40-goal international tally when he features upfront on Thursday.
Uzbekistan's Last 5 Matches
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03/02/2024QatarP 1Uzbekistan1AFC Asian Cup
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21/03/2024Hong Kong, China0Uzbekistan2AFC World Cup Qualifiers
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26/03/2024Uzbekistan3Hong Kong, China0AFC World Cup Qualifiers
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06/06/2024Uzbekistan3Turkmenistan1AFC World Cup Qualifiers
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11/06/2024IR Iran0Uzbekistan0AFC World Cup Qualifiers
Korea DPR Team News
Kang Ju-hyok is likely to feature in goal for North Korea, while Choe Ok-chol, Jang Kuk-chol, Kang Kuk-chol and Kim Yu-song are set to line up in the back four.
Ri Jo-guk is likely to offer one of North Korea’s main goal threats after scoring a hat-trick in the most recent qualifier against Myanmar in June.
Korea DPR's Last 5 Matches
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26/03/2024Korea DPR0Japan0AFC World Cup Qualifiers
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06/06/2024Korea DPR1Syria0AFC World Cup Qualifiers
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11/06/2024Korea DPR4Myanmar1AFC World Cup Qualifiers
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27/08/2024Jordan0Korea DPR0Friendlies
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29/08/2024Jordan2Korea DPR1Friendlies
Uzbekistan vs. Korea DPR: Odds and Predictions
Main Prediction
1X2: 1
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