One of the more intriguing fixtures in the 9th round of Asia’s 2026 World Cup qualifying takes place on Thursday at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium in Riyadh, where North Korea will face off against Kyrgyzstan. With both teams looking to salvage pride and momentum, this match presents a valuable betting opportunity at solid odds.
Match Preview
North Korea remains winless after eight rounds, with just two points to show for their efforts. Their latest outing—a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to the UAE in March, courtesy of a 98th-minute goal—epitomizes the team’s campaign so far: spirited performances, but no rewards. Despite their struggles, the North Koreans have shown remarkable grit, especially in November’s narrow losses to Iran (2-3) and Uzbekistan (0-1) on neutral ground in Riyadh.
While already eliminated from contention, the team continues to play with high intensity and pride—pressure and expectations from home ensure there’s no lack of motivation. Bookmakers consider this a prime opportunity for North Korea to finally register their first win of the campaign.
Kyrgyzstan, meanwhile, produced a shock result last time out, beating Qatar 3-1 to keep their qualification hopes alive. However, their success has been limited to home turf. On the road, they’ve suffered four straight defeats, conceding eight goals while scoring just one. Their away record includes a 3-4 loss to Malaysia—a team that hasn’t even reached the next round.
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There’s attacking quality in the Kyrgyz lineup, capable of springing surprises. But defensive instability and inconsistency continue to plague their performances—particularly away from home.
Probable Lineups
North Korea: Kang – Kim, Jae-Hwan, Kwang-Hun, Cho – Ri, Kang, Kim – Chung-Song, Ri – Han
Kyrgyzstan: Tokotaev – Mishchenko, Kichin, Kozubaev, Brausman – Jyrgalbek Uulu, Shukurov, Zarypbekov – Abdurakhmanov, Kenyebaev, Koyo
Match Facts and Stats
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North Korea are winless in their last 8 qualifiers.
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Kyrgyzstan have lost all 4 away games in this campaign, with a goal difference of 1:8.
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The two teams have collectively conceded 31 goals in the third round—among the worst defensive records.
Prediction
While both teams have had underwhelming campaigns, North Korea has often shown more composure against stronger opponents, especially on neutral ground. Kyrgyzstan’s dreadful away form and defensive fragility make it hard to see them repeating their heroics from the Qatar match.
Recommended Bet: North Korea (0) Handicap Win
Odds: 1.75
This Asian handicap bet ensures you get your stake back in case of a draw, making it a smart pick given North Korea’s resilience and Kyrgyzstan’s travel woes.
