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September 11, 2024
Japan’s 5-0 victory over Bahrain on Tuesday was significant in the Asian final round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Combined with their previous victory against China, this win puts Japan in a strong position in Group C.
Following a 7-0 thumping of China at home on Thursday to start the Group C campaign, the 18th-ranked Samurai Blue continued their winning streak with another decisive victory and clean sheet against the 80th-ranked hosts at Bahrain National Stadium. The team’s unity and collective effort were evident despite the challenging conditions. The temperature was above 35 degrees Celsius despite the evening kickoff. “We prepared well as a team and everyone fulfilled their individual roles tactically too,” said manager Hajime Moriyasu, who categorically denied Japan’s group is an easy one.
“The scoreline was big in the end but we headed into the game assuming it was going to be much tighter.”
At the other end, Zion Suzuki pushed Komail Al Aswad’s header away for a corner moments after Ritsu Doan struck the woodwork off Kaoru Mitoma’s cross at the far post in the ninth minute. Still, the Japan keeper had little to do after that.
Daichi Kamada, who started in place of Takefusa Kubo in the only change made by Moriyasu from the first game, made Japan’s dominance count in the 37th minute when a low cross drew a handball inside Bahrain’s box to earn a penalty.
The Feyenoord forward remained composed and focused, undeterred by the laser pointer flashing directly in his eyes as he prepared for the high-stakes penalty. With nerves of steel, he confidently stepped up. He drilled his shot past goalkeeper Ebrahim Lutfallah, securing a crucial goal for his team.
“I managed to focus on myself so that didn’t bother me too much,” He made that statement following a game in which the national anthem of Japan was drowned out by the jeers of the home crowd.
Junya Ito replaced Doan at the break, and the speedster immediately made an impression. Takumi Minamino won the ball high up the field, and Mitoma and Kamada worked together to release Ito. After straightening his feet, Ueda drilled his cutback off the post.
“I couldn’t get many shots away in the last game so I was intent on creating my own chances,” added Ueda. “We as a team also managed to pull off some of the things we were aiming for.”
The forward changed roles in the 61st minute after receiving the ball from Morita at the edge of the box and passing it back to the midfielder, who ran into the area and side-footed home. Japan’s team’s adaptability and quick thinking on the field are what set it apart.
Three minutes later, using ample space, Kamada expertly threaded the ball through to Mitoma. The latter quickly squared it across the box, allowing Morita to slide in and confidently finish for his second goal of the match.
“We managed to attack more dynamically in the second half,” said Morita after his first brace for Japan. “It was quite tough playing away and under the heat, but I’ve been thinking about the pace and things went extremely well in these two games.”
In the 81st minute, Ogawa rose high to nod home the rebound after Keito Nakamura, set up by fellow substitute Kubo, drew a save from Lutfallah. Japan was not done yet.
In other Group C matches, Australia drew 0-0 away to Indonesia, and 10-man Saudi Arabia pulled off a 2-1 comeback victory against China. These results could have implications for Japan’s future matches in the qualifiers.
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