North Korea has made it through to the next round of qualification for the men’s FIFA World Cup, despite a rocky campaign that included a forfeit to Japan and multiple issues relocating fixtures out of Pyongyang.  

A hat trick by forward Ri Jo Guk helped the DPRK cruise to a 4-1 victory over Myanmar on Tuesday at Vientiane’s New Laos International Stadium, helping the men’s national team inch closer to what could be its third World Cup appearance.

The match came after North Korea’s unlikely last-gasp win against Syria on Thursday, which changed qualifying odds in Pyongyang’s favor. 

The DPRK