Ritsu Doan, Takefusa Kubo, and Ayyo Ueda advanced to the top eight as Samurai Blue.
Four-time champions Japan booked their place in the quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 on Wednesday as Samurai Blue defeated Bahrain 3-1 with goals from Ritsu Doan, Takefusa Kubo and Ayase Ueda at Al Thumama Stadium. advanced.
Coach Hajime Moriyasu’s team will face either the Islamic Republic of Iran or Syria in the last eight on Saturday, but despite wobbling midway through the second half, Ueda headed the ball into his own net to secure victory.
Doan took the lead in the 31st minute, Kubo extended the lead to two points three minutes into the second half, and Bahrain cut the difference in half in the 64th minute due to mistakes by Ueda and Zion Suzuki. Eight minutes later, Ueda scored a goal to restore the two-point cushion.
The own goal was a rare moment of uncertainty for the Japanese team, who first brought on Bahrain goalkeeper Ebrahim Lutfallah in the 9th minute, finding space with his forward movement and forcing Kubo’s corner goal into Ueda’s corner. The header rolled over the bar.
Ali Madan comfortably saved Suzuki in a rare forward deployment for the Bahrain international, and his shot from the edge of the area after a counter-attack caused little trouble for the Sint-Truiden goalkeeper.
However, after the 30th minute, Japan took the lead. Seiya Maikuma moved into space 25 yards from goal and fired a shot that beat Lutfalla, but it hit the post and bounced back to Doan, who controlled it with his touch and smashed it home with a stroke.
Two minutes into the second half, the Japanese national team got off to a strong start to the second half, as Kubo’s free kick was headed in by Akira Itakura, who fired it wide of Lutfalla’s left post and into the penalty area.One minute later, Kubo’s quick strike Doubled your advantage with thinking.
The Real Sociedad midfielder won the ball 25 yards from goal before playing it to Ueda, and while the striker rolled the ball beyond himself, Hazza Ali turned the ball into Kubo’s own goal. It flew to the toes of Lutfalla.
Referee Ahmad Al Ali initially whistled for offside, but he was later called to the pitchside monitor and after a review, the goal was awarded.
The Japanese team was well on their way, but in the 64th minute, Suzuki and Ueda collided on their own line, allowing Saeed Baker’s header into the goal, energizing the Bahraini fans in the crowd.
But Juan Antonio Pizzi’s side’s hopes lasted just eight minutes. However, Ueda’s explosive pace saw him clear inside the Bahrain penalty area, and his sure finish sailed past Lutfallah’s legs to ensure Japan’s advance.
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