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FULL TIMELast update 1:44 AM ET
A GOAL THAT WILL GO DOWN IN HISTORY:
Key moments
End of the match:
With goals from Daichi Kamada (66') and Takefusa Kubo (87'), Japan defeated Bahrain 2-0 and will once again compete in the FIFA World Cup. The Japanese reaffirm their favoritism and qualify early.
Bahrain came close to scoring. The visitors were determined to attack in the final minutes of the match, but they woke up late. The Japanese players are already slowly starting to celebrate their World Cup qualification, eager to see the referee blow the final whistle.
Seven more minutes will be played at Saitama 2002. Japan partially defeats Bahrain 2-0 and is securing a place in the next orbital event in 2026. A great duel between the samurai.
GOAL FOR JAPAN. A great goal from Kubo, the young Japanese gem. The local team is qualifying for the next World Cup, which will be held in North America.
Hamad Al-Shamsan left the field injured, treated by Japanese paramedics. Bahrain played well in defense and didn't suffer any injuries, but their performance in attack was rather mediocre.
Japan's effectiveness in front of goal is high. Three shots on target, one goal disallowed, one goal scored, and one chance missed. Bahrain hasn't had a single shot on goal so far this match.
Japan is qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. That goal means great joy for the home team to confirm their attendance at the next World Cup. There's a lot of excitement in the stands over the partial result.
Goooooooooooooooooal for Japan! A great individual play by Kubo, who played a pass into space for his teammate Daichi Kamada, who, with all the coolness of his ability, finished beautifully. What a goal!
Junya Ito and Daichi Kamada came on for Japan. The home team has now made three substitutions. So far, their coach's change of strategy hasn't been effective. We're seeing the same dynamic as in the first half.
If we go straight to the data, we have no scoring opportunities, much less direct shots on goal. The only clear chance was the disallowed goal in the opening minutes of the first half. We've reached the hour mark in Japan.
Bahrain's lock didn't allow us any chances in the first 10 minutes of the second half. We'll have to take much more risks if we want to open the scoring; Japan absolutely needs a win.
Japan's No. 10 Doan has been the player who has tried the most to find and link up with his teammates, but so far he hasn't been able to connect with them. His teammate Kubo is also important; they need to find each other more.
The Japanese coach seems annoyed and uncomfortable with his team's performance. They can't connect two passes in a row and lose the ball quickly. Bahrain lacks an offensive presence and doesn't pass the halfway line.
The second half begins:
The action resumes in Japan. The home side made two changes: Hidemasa Morita was replaced by Ao Tanaka, midfielder for midfielder. Position for position!
End of the first half:
In a game that went from strength to strength, Japan and Bahrain drew 0-0. In the 8th minute, the home side scored a header, but it was ruled out for a handball in the box. From that moment on, both teams simply hung on and waited.
The referee made the decision to add 3 more minutes in Saitama 2002.
Japan has a high percentage of possession, but it's an unproductive possession. They fail to convert that possession into scoring opportunities. The curtain falls on the first half.
We went more than 15 minutes without any scoring opportunities. We only had chances in front of goal. Bahrain managed to withstand Japan's momentum with a solid 4-4-2 formation. We expect more from the match.
Japan looks desperate and anxious. They haven't managed to maintain the intensity they displayed in the opening 15 minutes. The referee has been criticized a lot, because he allowed a lot of hitting.
We've reached the first 30 minutes of the match. Japan has had two chances in front of goal, but they haven't been able to convert. Bahrain isn't struggling, but they look far from their opponent's level.
The game has been slowed down due to the number of fouls we've seen on the court. It's a rather slow game with little excitement. Unfortunately, it fell apart; the start isn't the same.
Japan continues to slowly push towards the opponent's goal; it's been quite difficult to break Bahrain's defensive lock. The home side has an offensive approach, while their opponents are looking to counterattack.
Bahrain felt a new lease of life after Japan's disallowed goal and has gradually begun to find its footing on the pitch. They look comfortable and determined to create danger and get close to the opponent's goal.
It was a rather electrifying start to the match. Both teams were firing on all cylinders and were on the front foot. Bahrain appealed for a penalty after a dubious foul that wasn't reviewed by VAR.
The goal was disallowed due to handball by the scorer. It's worth remembering that, according to FIFA regulations, no player who scores can touch the ball with his hand. The play was clearly disallowed. Play, play! We're equal.
JAPAN GOAL. The home side takes the lead after a corner. The Bahraini goalkeeper made a very poor error, and he hesitated to defend the move. The action is being reviewed by VAR.
The visitors are looking to spring a surprise and are starting by putting pressure on Japan's starting lineup. They know they need to be sharp today if they want to have a chance of winning. They're constantly looking for the Japanese to make a mistake.
THE GAME IS STARTING
JAPAN VS BAHRAIN IS NOW UNDERWAY. BOTH TEAMS DREAM OF QUALIFYING FOR THE 2026 WORLD CUP
WE'RE EXPECTING A DUEL FOR THE QUALIFYING MATCH IN ASIA.
- Bahrain have lost only two of their last ten World Cup qualifying matches (W3 D5).
- Bahrain have drawn five of their last eight World Cup qualifying matches (W1 L2).
- Bahrain have kept six clean sheets in their last seven World Cup qualifying matches outside of Bahrain.
- Japan have won 16 and drawn two of their last 18 World Cup qualifying matches. Since a 1-0 defeat against Saudi Arabia in October 2021.
- Japan have lost only two of their last 28 World Cup qualifying matches in Japan (W22 D4).
- Japan last conceded more than one goal in a World Cup qualifying match in a 2-1 defeat against the United Arab Emirates in September 2016.
Bahrain's last game was at home against Australia and the World Cup qualifier at Bahrain National Stadium finished in a 2-2 draw, with Mahdi Abduljabbar Hasan finding the net twice for the Red Wolves. Bahrain had three shots on goal and 41% of possession in the World Cup qualifier.
Japan played China away in their previous match. The scoreline was a 3-1 win in the World Cup qualifier at Xiamen Egret Stadium, with Koki Ogawa (2) and Ko Itakura on the scoresheet. Hajime Moriyasu's team boasted 67% possession and had five shots on target.
Substitutes in the visit:
Abdulkarim Fardan 1
Vincent Emmanuel 6
Ibrahim Al-Khatal 9
Ismail Abdul-Latif 11
Mohamed Al Romaihi 13
Ali Haram 14
Jasim Al-Shaikh 15
Sayed Baqer 16
Sayed Al-Wadaei 17
Hazza Ali 18
Husain Abdulkarim 19
Sayed Jaffer 21
Vincent Emmanuel 6
Ibrahim Al-Khatal 9
Ismail Abdul-Latif 11
Mohamed Al Romaihi 13
Ali Haram 14
Jasim Al-Shaikh 15
Sayed Baqer 16
Sayed Al-Wadaei 17
Hazza Ali 18
Husain Abdulkarim 19
Sayed Jaffer 21
Dragan Talajic- Bahrain Coach
“We are coming to play tomorrow – in my opinion, at this moment – the best team in Asia and also one of the best teams in the world,” Talajic said during his pre-match Press conference yesterday.
“During this qualification, Japan have been making a very good road. Already, I think they have qualified for the World Cup.
“That means it will be a very tough game, but we are coming here to win.
“When you have a chance to play against the first team in Asia, it will be sweet to win against them. We will try, but with full respect for the Japan national team.”
Bahrain XI: Lutfalla, Al-Khalasi, Al-Hayam, Benaddi, Al-Shamsan, Saeed, Al-Aswad, Madan, Marhoon, Al-Humaidan, Abduljabbar
XI 🔵⚪
Japan’s starting line-up vs. Bahrain : GK: Suzuki. DF: Seko, Itakura, H. Ito. DMF: Endo, Morita. WB: Doan, Mitoma. AMF: Kubo, Minamino. FW: Ueda.
Subs: GK: Osako, Tani. DF: Sugawara, Takai, Nakayama. MF: Tanaka, Hatate, Kamada, J. Ito, Nakamura. FW: Maeda, Machino.
HELLO FRIENDS! Welcome to this vibrant meeting
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In the last match between Japan and Bahrain, Japan won 5-0 at the Bahrain National Stadium. This was a qualifier for the 2024 World Cup in September, in which Japan had an impressive 76% possession and nine shots on goal.
