North Korea 0-1 Uzbekistan Player Ratings as the visitors hold on for a tiring win after going down to 10 men

In what was a rather unimportant showdown in the AFC Asian Qualifiers Group A Round 6, North Korea took on Uzbekistan as they looked to stage an unlikely upset, hoping to find something positive in what has largely been a dull campaign for them. With zero wins in their previous 5 games, their elimination is all but certain at this point. On the other hand, the Uzbeks have been pretty good throughout, policing second in the group as things stand and looking quite solid in their games so far. 

While the Uzbeks managed to get a frantic game under control in the first half and were well rewarded for their efforts with a goal in the first half, the second half was a true test of their ability to hold on under immense pressure. Owing to a sending-off in the second half, the visitors found themselves holding on for all three points against a North Korean side that looked as though they had a fire lit under them. 

All in all, the game was very tense and end-to-end, especially with the drama in the second half. Whilst the Uzbeks will be happy with their valiant performance near the end, their build-up play in the first was crisp and precise as well. As for North Korea, they will rue their missed chance today and their campaign as a whole. 

North Korea Player Ratings vs Uzbekistan

Goalkeeper

Kang Ju Hyok: 6/10- Slightly reckless with his passing and distribution often opting to boot out, sometimes out of the pitch. Made a few good saves but was quite easy to come off his line which could have caused trouble for his teammates. 

Defenders

Choe Ok Chol: 6/10- A difficult day at the office for sure, but did his best to try and find an opening himself when crossing did not work out. Made quite a few attempts at trying to find a teammate with a long ball, and hardly ever actually managed to. 

Kuk Chol Jang: 7/10 – Grew into the game after a bit of a frantic and troubling first half. Made a lot of effort to get his team further up the pitch in the second half and was physical in his duels. Was defensively rock solid, even if his passing was not up to standard. 

Kim Yu Song: 7/10- Solid defensively for the most part and was even doing quite well with his passing. Much like most of his team, had a much better second half, getting more time and space to make a pass and find his teammates.

Kim Pom Hyok: 6/10- Had a poor performance at left back and was rather wasteful with his opportunities and chance creation going forward. Did not cover himself in glory defensively either and was visibly frustrated with his own performance as it seemed. 

Midfielders

Il-song Ri: 6/10- Was quite wasteful on the flank, unable to find a teammate with any of his crosses. Did make a few good dribbles and had an opportunity to put his team in the lead midway through the first half, but was unable to finesse his shot into the side netting. Did win his side a penalty though. 

Un-Chol Ri: 6/10- Unfortunate to have gotten injured within the opening half hour, as he seemed quite up for the contest, getting stuck into what was a combative affair in the midfield. Did end up losing the ball on a fair few occasions though. 

Kuk Chol Kang: 6.5/10- Fared slightly better than most of his teammates in terms of being able to find a teammate with his passes and managing to win some duels against the Uzbek midfield. Showed some creativity to try and help his team find a winner as well. 

Chung-song Paek: 5.5/10- Had a bit of a shocker, all things considered, offering next to nothing offensively. Other than perhaps a cross into the box, Paek had a very poor game, unable to influence the game from the right flank, eventually getting subbed off midway through the second half.

Attackers

Jo-guk Ri: 6/10- Ineffective and unproductive up front, and really struggled to get into the game. Did not contribute much aside from laying it off for a teammate on a few occasions. Ended his night without a single shot on goal, on or off target. 

Han Kwang-Sŏng: 7/10- Showed some signs of life and some fighting trying to find an equalizer for his side. Was unable to create something substantial, despite his best efforts but did have a few good moments in the game.

Substitutes

Kye Tam: 7/10- Did his part quite well, finding some semblance of control for his side in midfield, especially in the second half. Was able to actually find his teammates with his passes and was a lot more composed than some of his peers on the night. 

Il Gwan Jong: 5/10- Did not offer much since coming on and squandered a God-given opportunity to draw his team level. Will be quite disappointed with his performance overall, even without taking the missed penalty into consideration. 

Kwang-hun Pak: N/A

Ju-Song Choe: N/A

Manager

Yong-Nam Sin: 7/10- Despite his side facing heavy adversity, did well to make adjustments that saw his team very nearly mount a deserved comeback. Will feel hard done by all things considered, and could have made some better choices regarding his selected lineup.

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Uzbekistan Player Ratings vs North Korea

Goalkeeper

Utkir Yusupov: 7/10- Despite a largely controlled performance, gave away the ball rather cheaply in a dangerous situation whilst trying to play out. Wasn’t called into action too much during the game except for needing to punch the ball out on a couple of instances. Made a superb penalty save as well.

Defenders

Husniddin Alikulov: 7/10- A willing runner up the flanks and comfortable in possession and build-up play. Did well to maraud forward on occasion and showed the presence of mind and discipline to provide options for his teammates while playing out from the back. 

Umar Eshmuradov: 6.5/10- Comfortable in possession and in defending against any loose balls lumped forward by the North Koreans. Was calm and measured with his passing often playing in some very interesting passes in-field. Was slightly unlucky to be sent off for the inadvertent handball. 

Abdukodir Khusanov: 6.5/10- Solid and composed at the back. Made his presence felt in the opposition box during corners. Did well to weed out danger and showed a good balance between knowing when to play short and when to boot out the ball.

Sherzod Nasrullaev: 6.5/10- Marshalled his flank well, often needing to ensure that an attacker didn’t get to any of the long balls. Made his way into the opposition box on quite a few occasions, managing to hook in some good crosses. Should have made more of the golden opportunity that fell to him at the start of the game though. 

Midfielders

Khozhiakbar Alizhonov: 7/10-Played further out than the widemen, often providing a good option for the right back, allowing for play to progress. Was active and showed for the ball often and even lofted in a couple of really nice crosses into the box.

Odildzhon Khamrobekov: 7/10- Ever present in the midfield, turning over possession and progressing the ball into the attackers. Was easily noticeable and almost always in the middle of any tussle or contest in the middle of the park. 

Akmal Mozgovoy: 6.5/10-  Did well to form the midfield pivot, offering a good balance of attack and defence. Ended up blocking a fair few shots and at the same time was willing and able to join the attackers up the field.

Attackers

Jaloliddin Masharipov: 6.5/10- Active and energetic throughout. Popped up in numerous different positions as the game went on, trying to get the play going, often providing an option for a teammate. Could have done better to release the ball earlier in a few instances though.

Abbosbek Fayzullaev: 7.5/10- Found his goal with a long-range strike that seemingly deflected off a defender before finding its way into the net. Regardless, his late run to the box was what the goal possible and his activity and awareness throughout was not too bad either. Would find himself quite central on occasions as well. 

Bobur Abdikholikov: 6/10- Had a bit of difficulty tussling with the rather physical North Korean centre-backs. Regardless, managed to link the play with the attackers and the ever-present midfielders, showing great awareness in finding his teammate, who scored their first goal. Missed a bit of a sitter in the second half though.

Substitutes

Khozhimat Erkinov: 6.5/10- Made some impact up front, trying to get stuck in and create some chances up top. Did not manage to get anything out of the game, as his team was forced to defend more in the second half. 

Azizbek Turgunboev: N/A

Azizbek Amanov: N/A

Abdulla Abdullaev: N/A

Manager

Srečko Katanec: 7/10- Set his side up well with a clear game plan and approach. Made suitable adjustments to see his men play out the closing moments with 10 men and deservedly came out with the win.

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