North Korea on Wednesday won its first World Cup qualifier this year, 3-2, over host Bahrain thanks to a late goal by An Chol-Hyok.

Out of the race for Germany 2006, the North opened a 2-0 at halftime thanks to goals from Choe Chol-man in the 28th minute and Kim Chol-ho in the 43rd minute.

Bahrain tied the score early in the second half as Salman Isa and Hussain Ali scored, but An's header in the 90th minute fell into the goal over the outstretched arms of Bahrain goalie Ali Hassan.

The North had lost all of its previous five qualifiers, including its first game against Bahrain in Pyongyang, and finished last in Group B of the Asian zone.