Qatar's national football team delivered a stunning performance on Thursday, March 20, 2025, securing a commanding 5-1 victory over North Korea during the seventh round of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. The match took place at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, where Qatar showcased their intent to enhance their chances of qualifying for the upcoming tournament.
The home team was quick to take control of the match. Akram Afif opened the scoring in the 17th minute with an individual effort that highlighted his skill and finesse. Following a brilliant pass from young teammate Mustafa Tariq Mashal, Afif skillfully maneuvered past defenders to find the back of the net, setting the tone early for the Qatari side.
Just six minutes later, in the 23rd minute, Ahmed Al-Janahi doubled the score for Qatar, finishing off a move set up by Afif. Qatar's momentum continued unabated as they scored a third goal in the 34th minute, although this one came in a rather unfortunate manner for North Korea. Defending player Youssef Ayman saw a miscalculated clearance deflect off Yu Song-Kim, slipping into the net for an own goal that left North Korea reeling.
Qatar continued their dominance into the second half, with Ahmed Hisham Al-Rawi netting the fourth goal in the 56th minute, before Ahmed Alaa El-Din capped the scoring with a fifth in the 66th minute, leaving the score at 5-0. North Korea finally got on the scoreboard in the 86th minute, with Baek Kwang-Hoon scoring their lone goal, but it proved too little too late.
The victory boosted Qatar’s standing in Group A, bringing their total to 10 points, which places them firmly in fourth place in a competitive group where Iran leads with 19 points, followed closely by Uzbekistan and the UAE, both at 10 points. Meanwhile, North Korea remains at the bottom of the group with just 2 points from their efforts thus far.
This triumph is particularly significant as it follows a period of struggles for the Qatari team and the recent appointment of coach Luis Garcia. The new management had yet to yield positive results until now, having gained only modest returns in previous tournaments. Following the match, Garcia expressed his satisfaction, noting, "We need to build on this momentum for our upcoming matches," indicating that the team is still in pursuit of a steadier form as they aim for World Cup qualification.
Despite the loss, North Korea's coach and players were quick to acknowledge the challenges they faced. Baek Kwang-Hoon reflected, "It was disappointing for us, but we will learn and improve for our next challenge," emphasizing a commitment to regroup and refocus as they prepare for their next fixtures.
Looking ahead, Qatar will face Kyrgyzstan in their next match on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. The game will set the stage for another critical step in their campaign for World Cup qualification as they aim to maintain the positive energy generated by this decisive victory.
The match is crucial not only for Qatar's aspirations but also for the morale of their fans, who gathered in great numbers to support their team. With a mix of veteran talent and promising newcomers, Qatar is working diligently to reclaim their spot at the top of Asian football.
