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| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
UZBEKISTAN  Nesterov Mullajonov, Karpenko,Tukhtaxujaev, Denisov Tursunov, Akhmedov, Haydarov Kapadze, Djeparov Geynrikh | NORTH KOREA  Kim MG Jon KI, Pak NC II, Ri KC, Cha JH Pak NC I, An YH Jong IG, Ryang YG, Ri CM Jong TS |
North Korea displayed some fast counterattacking in the last meeting of the sides, but their forwards didn’t finish off the chances created. Bochum striker Jong Tae-Se had a number of opportunities to score and he will be a goal threat again. North Korea coach Yun Jong-Su will likely opt for defensive tactics, but hope for something special from Jong, or Basel striker Pak Kwang-Ryong, with the east Asians needing a win to keep alive their remote hopes of progressing.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
Prior to last month's qualifier in Pyongyang, the last time these two nations met was in a friendly in August 2008 which ended goalless.
- Uzbekistan have had a big 2011, finishing fourth at the 2011 Asian Cup (their best ever placing) and seeing club Nasaf Qarshi win the AFC Cup.
- The White Wolves controversially missed out on qualifying for the 2006 World Cup after the first leg of their fourth-round playoff against Bahrain saw the referee disallow an Uzbek penalty goal for encroachment as they were leading 1-0, before wrongfully awarding the West Asians an indirect free-kick for the infringement.
- North Korea didn't concede a single goal in third round qualifying four years ago.
- Chollima's away record in recent times is poor following defeats to Japan, China and Iraq on the road in 2011.
- North Korea were knocked out of the 2011 Asian Cup without scoring a goal and claiming just one point.
Prediction
The North Koreans will have to adopt a more attacking approach with the three points crucial to their campaign, but that is likely to leave them susceptible with Uzbekistan's quality attacking options such as Server Djeparov and Alexander Geynrikh able to expose them.
Editor's Prediction
Uzbekistan 1-0 Korea DPR (PRK) 
