Japan FC meets with Bahrain FC, with hopes of getting closer for yet another Asian Cup title, as they meet for their last 16 meeting. These two teams were able to dominate their group stage, however, their results is not what it expected of them. Japan surprisingly finished at the second of their group in the group stage. Despite of this, Japan were able to have a comfortable 3-1 win against Indonesia that earned them a qualification here. On the other hand, for Bahrain, they surprised everyone, as they are the winners of Group E. Bahrain finished at the top of their group, earning six points from their three matches, but lost their last match. Japan and Bahrain will meet on January 31, 2024, at 7:30 PM (GMT+8).
Japan FC
Japan secured a comfortable victory on matchday three to advance into the knockout stage for the ninth time in a row. The Samurai Blue, ranked 17th in the world, have won at least two matches at the group stage of the Asian Cup for the eighth straight time. They have won their opening knockout fixture in five of the last six editions of the competition, with their only defeat coming in a shootout versus the United Arab Emirates in 2015. The team has been an offensive juggernaut in recent months, but has kept the opposition off the scoresheet in three of their last four knockout fixtures at the Asian Cup. The Samurai Blue have won four of their last five contests against Bahrain, including a thrilling 4-3 extra-time triumph in the 2004 semi-finals.
Japan’s Kaoru Mitoma missed the match due to an ankle injury, while Takefusa Kubo and Wataru Endo were in the starting 11 against Indonesia. Takuma Asano can reach 50 caps, and Ayase Ueda scored a brace and an own goal.
Bahrain FC
Bahrain, after a 2-0 loss to South Korea, bounced back to win their final two matches by a 1-0 score, finishing at the top of their group for the first time in the Asian Cup competition. This is a significant improvement from their previous games, where they lost their final two preparatory matches 2-0. Bahrain will only appear in the knockout stage of the tournament for the third time and has only won their opening Asian Cup knockout fixture once. The Pearl Divers won consecutive Asian Cup fixtures in the opening phase, a feat no Bahrainis side had done before. Bahrain has not defeated a Japanese side on the international stage since a 1-0 triumph against the Samurai Blue in January 2009. With six points in five games, Bahrain finished first in Group E, despite starting the campaign with a 3-1 defeat to South Korea.
Amine Benaddi missed Bahrain’s match due to a knock sustained in their opening match against South Korea. Bahrain’s starting 11 featured Abdullah Al-Khalasi, Jasim Al-Shaikh, and Abdulla Yusuf Helal. Helal scored the only goal in Jordan.
Prediction:
Japan FC (2.0)
Odds: -0.93
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