Entertaining comeback in vain ｜ DPR Korea - Kyrgyz Republic ｜ Highlights #AsianQualifiers Road To 26

With the two teams sitting at the foot of Group A, it's safe to say that the AFC Asian Qualifiers Road to 26 hasn't been as smooth as either DPR Korea or the Kyrgyz Republic would have hoped. With just two points to their name, DPR Korea can no longer reach the next stage, but after four narrow defeats from their last five, they'll be determined to get a first group win under their belts today in Riyadh. The Kyrgyz Republic shocked Qatar with a 3-1 win on Matchday 8, meaning that there's still an outside chance at advancing, depending on Qatar's results in the other games. DPR Korea in white, working it nicely down the middle, a chance for the number nine to have a go at gold. It was well struck by Uri Joguk, just hit it a little too high to trouble the Kyrgyz keeper. Throw in for Kyrgyz Republic, straight into the box, and it'll be headed straight back out, but only towards Atabaev. The shot takes a big deflection off Joel Kojo, who will chase that in, but Kang Ju-hyuk can gather it in good time. DPR Korea corner. It's sent in towards the near post, and it's headed in at the back post. DPR Korea lead before the break. Hak Gwang-hun with the glancing header. He beat the defenders to it, and Kyrgyz hopes are hanging by a thread now. DPR Korea move it forward nicely, into the box it goes, and a shot is well off target in the end. They got themselves into a decent position. Korea play it into the center. It's Kai Tam who came on at the break. Was he fouled there? It might not matter if Ri picks up the slack, and the number nine does just that. He saw his chance, and he seized it. DPR Korea, two goals to the good. This one will bounce all the way across the box. Almazbekov fighting for it. He can cut it back here, and they've cut the lead in half. And Likulov reducing the deficit just minutes after that second goal, the two substitutes combined, and this one might not be done and dusted just yet. Abdurakhmanov turns on the corner of the area, trying to push his way in. It's cleared away from the six-yard box, only as far as Valeri Kikin. He just smashed that at the target. Kang Ju-hyeok had to get right behind it, and that was hit with some real force by the Kyrgyz captain. He'll try and work this across from the left-hand side. Abdurakhmanov, and Ali Kulov comes in. Well-worked move and well-saved. DPR Korea players urging for calm in the defense. They're really under pressure at this point. Nice link-up over in the corner. Merck can send it in towards Ali Kulov. Hints of maybe a handball in the box there, but Kyrgyz Republic will have to make do without the spot kick and carry on. Kikin steps inside, has a go for range. Valeri Kikin trying his best to pull Kyrgyz Republic back level late on here. Last minute of the five added. Kikin again, he's spearheading his team's attack. He gets it into the box. There's five red shirts around it. Kojo celebrates. I think the last touch came from Kim Seung-gi. They'll have to check it, but it looks like Kyrgyz Republic have grabbed the leveler right at the death. It was an own goal. It was scrappy, but DPR Korea will miss out on their first winning Group A because of it. Joel Kojo did the hard work once the ball came in, but it was poked over the goal line by Kim Seung-gi, the unfortunate one. And it looks as though that will count as the last kick of the game. Kyrgyz Republic have clawed their way back to two all, but it's not enough to keep them in the hunt for a place in the top four. Qatar and UAE will take the places in the next stage. It's the end of the road for both DPR Korea and the Kyrgyz Republic.