Bahrain vs Japan live!
This match between Pearl Divers and pre-tournament favorites Samurai Blue will determine the final spot for the Asian Cup quarter-finals today. Despite losing in their first match, Bahrain topped their group and will enter this round of 16 match with hopes of advancing to the quarterfinals.
Japan also lost one and won two of their three group matches, but thanks to Iraq’s perfect record, they finished second in their group, losing to Jordan in the knockout stage. It is no exaggeration to say that Samurai Blue have not shown the most convincing performance in this tournament, but there is a possibility that they will continue their good performance against Bahrain this morning.
Takehiro Tomiyasu and Wataru Endo are expected to start in the Premier League, but Brighton’s Kalou Mitoma was still suffering from an ankle injury before the game. Takumi Minamino will also be a familiar name to some, while Takefusa Kubo has been linked with a move to England’s top flight this week. Follow the match live on our dedicated match blog below.
Bahrain vs Japan latest highlights
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Kick-off: 11:30am, Al Thumama Stadium
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How to watch: TrillerTV
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Bahrain layout game plan
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Japan unfazed by critics
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Score prediction
Bahrain 0-0 Japan
11:36 , dom smith
5′ It’s a very lively start from here, very open and end to end.
Bahrain captured the ball more and moved forward as well. Great start by them.
kick off!
11:30 , dom smith
In progress here!
Bahrain must not be underestimated
11:16 , dom smith
Japan enters this match as clear favorites to win the Asian Cup for the fifth time.
However, Bahrain continued to perform well at the right time. The team, ranked 86th in the world, entered the tournament having lost to the United Arab Emirates, Australia, and Angola.
They then lost 3-1 to South Korea, led by Son Heung-min, in the opening match in Qatar, but quickly turned the tables and defeated Malaysia and Jordan to advance to the final tournament. Japan must also be careful.
Less than 30 minutes left until departure!
11:02 , dom smith
Kick-off at Doha’s Al Tumana Stadium is approaching. There were less than 30 minutes left for both teams to aim for a place in the final eight of the Asia Cup.
Strength of Japan national team bench members
10:49 , dom smith
Despite suffering a shock 2-1 defeat to Iraq in their second group match, Japan’s replacement bench is well-stocked as they remain one of the favorites to win the tournament.
Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma and former Liverpool striker Takumi Minamino will be familiar faces to Premier League viewers.
Meanwhile, Bochum’s Takuma Asano and Celtic’s Daenen Maeda are also players who could hurt Bahrain if called up for the second half of the match against Doha.
Japan and Bahrain lineup
10:36 , dom smith
Here are the starting lineups for both teams…
Bahrain (4-5-1): Lutfala. Ali, Adel, Bakel, Al-Khayyam. Al Hadan, Madan, Marhoun, Al Aswad, Al Shaikh.heral
Japan (4-5-1): Suzuki; Nakayama, Tomiyasu, Itakura, Maizuma. Endo, Doan, Nakamura, Hatate, Kubo.Ueda
Latest information on the quarterfinals
10:26 , dom smith
This match between Japan and Bahrain will determine seven of the eight quarterfinalists.
In addition to the celebrities who have made it to the final eight, there are already many shocking players.
Tajikistan will play Jordan in the first quarter, while South Korea will face Australia in the heavyweight match.
Bahrain or Japan will play the winner of Iran vs. Syria later today, with hosts Qatar facing Uzbekistan in the final quarter-finals.
Japan vs. Bahrain H2H (direct match) record and past results
10:14 , dom smith
Japan’s victory: 9
draw: 1
Bahrain victory: 2
Japan national team coach against Bahrain
09:54 , alex young
“Bahrain are a very talented team, with individual talent and working together as a team. They have talented players up front who can not only attack on the counter-attack but also play good football.
“We have to learn from the mistakes of the first three games, but that doesn’t mean we are worried about our defensive line. I am confident that our players will perform to 100% of their potential.”
Score prediction
09:44 , alex young
Considering their pre-tournament tag as favorites, Japan has been cheating in the Asian Cup so far, but their performance in the final tournament speaks for itself.
This is the third time Bahrain have been eliminated from the group stage, but the Samurai Blue’s experience should be on display today as well. Otherwise you will be in for a big shock.
Japan won 2-0.
Japan unfazed by critics
09:28 , alex young
Four-time champions Japan are still not convinced that they are the favorites to win the Asian Cup after finishing second in their group, but coach Hajime Moriyasu has made several changes to his team ahead of the last-16 match. I think criticism is a sign of respect.
Japan is the top team on the continent, but they lost to a team from West Asia and finished in second place behind Iraq in Group D. Coach Moriyasu’s team also conceded goals to Vietnam and Indonesia and were unable to keep a clean sheet.
Coach Moriyasu told reporters ahead of Wednesday’s round-of-16 match against Bahrain: “It’s a sign of respect that people say we’re struggling in the Asia Cup because expectations are too high.” Told.
“We know we can play better, but Asian teams are getting better and more competitive. My impression is that the gap between the top teams and the bottom teams has narrowed.”
Bahrain layout game plan
09:16 , alex young
Bahrain coach Juan Antonio Pizzi said the team will aim to control the game and possession against Japan.
The former Spain international also has a chance for revenge after losing to Moriyasu’s side in the same round in 2019 when he was in charge of Saudi Arabia.
“The pressure (on Japan) is important and it could play into our hands,” Pizzi said.
“As for the mortification of 2019, this is football and it gives us an opportunity to mend our wounds. Some wounds heal on their own…but life goes on and we always deal with what life throws at us. You have to be ready to accept it.”
“The psychological aspect is important for the players, especially when they win matches and qualify, and their morale is high. Winning is good motivation. I hope we can use that morale to win tomorrow.”
Where to watch Bahrain vs Japan
09:10 , alex young
TV channels and live streams: In the UK, the entire tournament is being broadcast live by TrillerTV (formerly FITE). Coverage will begin on Wednesday at 11:20am GMT, ahead of kick-off at 11:30am.
You can watch online through the website or app. This app can be cast from your phone to a compatible TV or compatible smart TV through the Triller app.
The subscription channel costs £7.99 per month or £69.99 for a year. Both options come with a 7-day free trial.
welcome
08:59 , alex young
good morning. Welcome to the standard live coverage of the Asian Cup last 16 match between Bahrain and Japan.
The Pearl Divers have had good results in the tournament so far, but this time they will face the Samurai Blue team, who were expected to win all of them.
We have seen many shocks and surprises in Qatar so far, but what will this morning’s match bring?