After 5 games North Korea sits 4th in Group H, but still in with a chance of qualifying. A 1-0 win away to Sri Lanka and a 2-0 win at home to Lebanon left the DPRK with maximum points from their first two games, but a 0-0 draw in their infamous match at home to South Korea, followed by a 3-1 loss away to Turkmenistan and a 0-0 draw away at Lebanon has left the group extremely tight.
Turkmenistan sit top of the group on 9 points, followed by South Korea who have played a game fewer, Lebanon and North Korea all on 8 points. Sri Lanka sit pointless at the foot of the table.
With home games coming against Sri Lanka and Turkmenistan, sandwiching the big match away in Seoul, the DPRK realistically need 6 points to stand a chance of finishing 2nd.
The top team will enter the 3rd round and stand a chance of qualifying for the World Cupfinals in Qatar, with the best runners up also qualifying the DPRK still have a potential route to the next round.
In Group A, China have already fallen behind Syria and tie with Philippines in second place, and have already lost their manager Marcelo Lippi for the second time this year. In Group C Iraq beat Iran and sit top of the group, the Iranians have it all to do with 6 points from 4 games so far.
Watch the crucial home game in Pyongyang against Sri Lanka this March on our Ultra Budget Tour!
Or come on our DPRK Football tour where we will play a match against locals, visit the Football Academy and watch the crucial final group game against Turkmenistan!
Here at YPT we’ve combined our love of football with adventure travel to Unrecognised Countries and regions that should be top of your travel bucket list, and have teamed up with CONIFA – the Confederation of Independent Football Associations – so watch this space for more exciting football-related travel news!
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