Qatar play host to North Korea on Thursday searching for the win that would put them in a strong position to secure at least a fourth-round qualification spot in the AFC World Cup qualifiers.
Meanwhile, North Korea have failed to win any of their opening six third-round fixtures, leaving a victory imperative in Doha.
Match preview
© Imago
With Qatar sitting six points adrift of a top-two spot in Group A, the decision was made for Luis Garcia to replace Tintin Marquez as coach.
While the Spaniard would have been hoping to start his stint on a positive note, Qatar failed to win any of their three Gulf Cup of Nations games against UAE, Oman and Kuwait in December.
Just three victories have come from the last 11 matches in all competitions, emphasising that the 2022 World Cup participants have a battle on their hands to reach the 2026 edition.
Seven points have been accumulated from six games at the third-round stage, Qatar trailing second-placed Uzbekistan by six points with four matches remaining.
With closing fixtures against the top two in September, it is imperative that Qatar prevail from this contest to stay within touching distance, while they are also looking to remain at least four points clear of fifth when a fourth-round spot is their backup option.
From North Korea's perspective, there is an argument that they have done well to reach this stage, benefitting from a favourable draw to finish second to Japan in round two.
However, they have now gone six games without success in the next stage, drawing just twice, although they have only lost each of the other four matches by one-goal margins.
Coach Sin Yong-nam may take positives from that, yet defeat on Thursday would leave North Korea eight points adrift of reaching the next round with three matches remaining, essentially leaving them eliminated.
North Korea have scored just once in their previous three away games in Uzbekistan, UAE and Kyrgyzstan, albeit conceding only once in each of those three encounters.
Team News
© Imago
Garcia may be prepared to select the same Qatar XI from the 1-1 draw that they achieved against Kuwait in their final game of the Gulf Cup of Nations.
However, Mohammed Muntari is an option in attack having scored a last-gasp equaliser after his earlier introduction as a substitute, netting his 15th international goal.
Ahmed Al-Rawi would likely miss out in that scenario, while goalkeeper Salah Zakaria may retain his spot between the sticks ahead of more experienced competition.
With three players missing from the starting lineup that faced Uzbekistan, Sin will be forced into making several changes.
Kim Jin-hyok, Kye Tam and Jong Il-gwan could be the trio to come in at right-back, midfield and attack.
Qatar possible starting lineup:
Zakaria; Yousef, Salman, Mendes, Al-Amin; Abdurisag, Mashaal, Gaber, Afif; Ali, Muntari
North Korea possible starting lineup:
Kang; Kim, Kim, Jang, Kim; Kang, Tam, Paek, Ri; Ri, Jong
We say: Qatar 2-0 North Korea
With Qatar conceding five times last time out, North Korea will back themselves to upset the odds in Doha. However, we feel that the home side's greater attacking talents may come to the fore to earn them a crucial win.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
Iran
Kyrgyzstan
North Korea
Qatar
UAE
Uzbekistan
Iraq
Jordan
Kuwait
Oman
Palestine
South Korea
Australia
Bahrain
China
Indonesia
Japan
Saudi Arabia
