Indonesia FC and Japan FC meets in a match where they both aim to finally secure their spots in the last 16 of the Asian Cup. A place in the last 16 of these two squads are at stake, making this match a crucial one for both teams. Moreover, in the group standings, Indonesia and Japan are just next to each other in the group standings, both having three points. Indonesia is coming into this game with confidence, as they were able to bag a 1-0 win against Vietnam. Meanwhile, it is the other way around for Japan, as they suffered a 2-1 loss against Iraq. Moreover, this is the first time that Indonesia and Japan meets in the Asian Cup, despite their rivalry. The meeting between these two teams is on January 24, 2024, at 7:30 PM (GMT+8).
Indonesia FC
Indonesia has won a group fixture in the Asian Cup for the first time since 2007, putting them in a position to make the knockout stage for the first time. A victory on Wednesday would ensure they achieve this feat and equal the total combined points accumulated in their previous two Asian Cup group stage appearances. Shin Tae-yong has never lost a match to Japan in his managerial career, earning a 4-1 triumph against them in the 2017 East Asian Football Championship group stage. Tim Garuda has already netted as many times in this competition as they had in their four previous encounters combined. Indonesia has failed to find the back of the net in five of their last six meetings with Japan, winning the previous encounter in September 1981. Indonesia’s qualification hopes were kept alive with a 1-0 win over Vietnam on Friday.
Indonesians, despite limited action from Rizky Ridho and Jordi Amat, have two new faces in their starting 11 for the pivotal match against Vietnam. Captain Asnawi Mangkualam, who was questionable due to injury, was the hero on Friday.
Japan FC
Japan’s 11-match winning run in all competitions has ended with a 2-1 loss to Iraq in their previous encounter. This marks the last time Japan has suffered consecutive defeats in the Asian Cup finals, and they risk missing the knockout stage for the first time since 1988. Hajime Moriyasu’s side has not scored multiple times in a single game since March 2023. Japan has not won an encounter when scoring just a single goal in 90 minutes since November 2021. The Samurai Blue have finished at the top of their group in eight successive Asian Cup group stages, but this run will end if Iraq wins or draws their final group fixture versus Vietnam. Aymen Hussein scored a first-half brace to give Iraq a two-goal lead, while Wataru Endō scored for Japan in second half stoppage time, but it was too little, too late.
Kaoru Mitoma is out of Japan’s match due to an ankle injury, and Moriyasu made two changes to his starting 11 lineup. Zion Suzuki has had a poor Asian Cup campaign, conceding multiple goals, while Wataru Endo has scored his first goal since March 2021.
Prediction:
Japan FC (2.5)
Odds: -0.88
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