Ahead of DPR Korea's crucial AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 qualifier against Hong Kong on March 27, the-AFC.com spoke exclusively with national team player Ri Yong-jik to get his thoughts on the match and insights into the world of DPR Korea football.

What are your thoughts ahead of the final qualifier against Hong Kong?

We drew 1-1 away from home but had more of the ball and were attacking throughout, and in the end we just lacked a little luck. If we play as we are capable of we shouldn’t have any problems.

Is there a difference playing home and away?

In international football it is really different. At home the stadium is full with 50- or 60,000 fans, and they really get behind us. Speaking honestly, I think it’s the best home atmosphere in the world.

Hong Kong's task against DPR Korea is clear - they need to win to seal second place in Group B behind Lebanon as the three points will take them above the Koreans on a better head-to-head record.

DPR Korea have eights points ahead of the Matchday Six clash with Hong Kong three points behind. The corresponding tie at the Hong Kong Stadium on June 13, 2017 finished 1-1.

The task, however, won't be easy as DPR Korea are also eyeing a place in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Finals and they are a force to be reckoned with at the Kim II Sung Stadium in Pyongyang.

Group B winners Lebanon left the Kim II Sung Stadium with a share of the spoils after a 2-2 draw and Hong Kong need to do better than that to seal a place in the draw alongside the Continent's top teams. The draw will be held on May 4.

The Koreans had dismissed the challenge of Malaysia 4-1 in Friday’s first match of a double header in neutral Thailand, and it was just as easy second time around for Joern Andersen’s side against a Malaysian team that featured eight changes to the starting lineup.

The only action of note in a frantic opening 10 minutes came when Pak Kwang-ryong’s 25-yard free-kick sailed over Hafizul Hakim’s crossbar in the sixth minute. 

But it was a very familiar looking goal that saw DPR Korea take the lead after just 15 minutes.

The two teams face off against each other twice in four days and, with DPR Korea picking up a 4-1 win in the first of their games in Buriram in Thailand on Friday, the Norwegian is confident his players can build on the result.

“I think this game gives us some confidence,” said Andersen. “It was our first victory in a long time. We have played a lot of good matches and a lot of draws and we lost twice, so we didn’t have a lot of confidence.

“So this victory gives us confidence again because normally DPR Korea have a good strong team and recent results have not been so good so it was very important for us to get the victory to show the people that we have a good team and can win matches like that and against Hong Kong and other opponents.”

The Southeast Asians first face Kyrgyz Republic in Korea Republic on Thursday. Victory in that match would see them leapfrog their opponents and leave them needing to defeat Macau at home five days later to seal a place at the tournament for the first time since 1968.

Aung Thu, 21, will be hoping to be among the goals again, having started the comeback when Myanmar came from 2-0 down to draw with Kyrgyz Republic in Yangon last October. Ahead of the crucial reverse fixture, the forward speaks exclusively to the-AFC.com about his hopes going into the final two qualification games.

First-half strikes from Pak Kwang-ryong and Kim Yu-song put Joern Andersen’s side in control before Kim Yong-Il and Jong Il-gwan added two more after the break. 

Safawi Rasid’s late consolation was not enough to prevent the Malaysians becoming isolated at the bottom of the group on one point.

The result takes DPR Korea level with second-placed Hong Kong ahead of the second encounter with Malaysia on Monday.

After a scrappy opening, DPR Korea took the upper hand and won a penalty in the 11th minute.

Saudi Arabian referee Fahad Adwan Almirdasi ruled that Malaysia skipper Fadhli Shas had handled Ri Yong-jik’s cross from the left. Pak side footed home the spot kick to put his team in front.

Team manager Dan Palami is delighted that the overseas-based players have answered his call for them to support the bid to qualify for the final stage of the AFC Asian Cup for the first time.

Among those reporting for training this week ahead of the Tajikistan match on March 27 include goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, who plays for Welsh club Cardiff City, and Malaysian-based players Ian Ramsay and Misagh Bahadoran.

“We should be proud of our national team players who are doing well internationally in their various clubs,” said Palami.

The Azkals lead Group F of the AFC Asian Cup 2019 Qualifiers on nine points and need only a draw against Tajikistan to confirm their place among the Continent's elite for next January's blockbuster in the United Arab Emirates.

The could have sealed their berth on Matchday Five last November but were held 0-0 by Nepal.