North Korea, which is in last place with three draws and seven losses and no wins, is worse than China. Finishing at the bottom of the third qualifying round

Jun 11, 2025

North Korea's third qualifying round for the World Cup was disastrous itself.

North Korea lost 0-3 to Iran in the final Group A match of the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup at Azadi Stadium in Tehran, Iran on the 11th (Korea time).

North Korea held out well against Iran, a strong team, until the middle of the second half. He gave up several crises, but goalkeeper Kang Joo-hyuk did not allow a run.

However, North Korea has broken down. Winger Gye-Tam was sent off in the 23rd minute of the second half when he was warned for a second time for a rough tackle. North Korea, which had already been inferior in power, was unable to overcome the crisis as it became difficult in numbers.

He gave up a run in the 29th minute of the second half. A cross was delivered to Mohammad Mohevi correctly. The goalkeeper blocked Mohevi's first shot well, but he couldn't handle the second ball with certainty, and Mohevi pushed it lightly.

North Korea only conceded one goal, but suddenly lost its fighting spirit. In the 33rd minute of the second half, Iran launched a counterattack, but the North Korean players' defense was too sloppy. Iran hit the penalty box too easily. A cross was delivered to Mehdi Taremi. Taremi's header was in a strange direction, but it hit the North Korean defender and connected into the net.

North Korea suffered a decisive goal from Amir Husain as its defense was poorly penetrated in the counterattack in the third minute of the second half. North Korea dropped to Iran without scoring a goal.

North Korea finished with its worst performance in the third qualifying round of the World Cup. In 10 games, they have not won a single game with three draws and seven losses. Kuwait in Group B, which includes South Korea, has not won a single game like North Korea in the third qualifying round, but Kuwait is higher than North Korea with five points with five draws and five losses. In other words, North Korea was the worst team in the third qualifying round.

He scored nine goals in 10 games, which was not the minimum scoring team, but 21 goals left him with the disgrace of the most goals scored in the third qualifying round. In the second qualifying round of the World Cup, North Korea had a good performance with three wins and three losses. He also won against Syria, a tricky opponent, and reached the third qualifying round, but it completely collapsed in the third qualifying round.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.