The 18th of January will witness a extremely anticipated match between the Iraqi nationwide group and their Japanese counterparts at Training Metropolis Stadium. This important matchday two fixture marks a battle for first place in Group D of the Asian Cup.
Match Preview:
Iraq managed to assert a 3-1 victory over Indonesia of their opening group recreation. The Lions of Mesopotamia responded properly after Indonesia equalized, scoring a late purpose in first-half stoppage time to safe their triumph.
This victory marked Iraq’s first win of the 12 months and supplied them with a wonderful begin to the event.
Iraq has demonstrated their attacking prowess within the group stage of this event, scoring three or extra objectives in three of their final 4 Asian Cup group video games.
Jesus Casas’ aspect has solely suffered one defeat in regular time since September, dropping a pleasant match towards South Korea earlier this 12 months.
Japan had a difficult opener towards Vietnam, however they managed to attain 4 objectives and declare a 4-2 victory.
Over the previous eleven matches, the Samurai Blue has been sensational in assault, scoring 4 or extra objectives on ten events, together with a mixed 20 of their final 4 video games.
Japan’s coach, Hajime Moriyasu, noticed a way more poised group of gamers within the second half of their opening match, controlling the tempo of the sport. This victory prolonged their profitable run to 11 matches in all competitions.
Staff Information:
Of their opening match, Iraq fielded just one new face of their beginning 11, with Zidane Iqbal changing Montader Madjed.
Amir Al-Ammari reached 25 caps for the senior aspect, whereas Ibrahim Bayesh may attain 50 if he options within the subsequent two video games. Ali Adnan is now solely eight caps away from reaching 100.
Mohanad Ali scored his nineteenth worldwide purpose for Iraq of their opening recreation, drawing degree with Husham Mohammed for tenth all-time, and one purpose behind Hawar Mulla Mohammed for ninth place.
Osama Rashid and Aymen Hussein have been additionally on the scoresheet.
Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Kaoru Mitoma missed Japan’s opening match as a consequence of an ankle harm. Nevertheless, Moriyasu expects him to be out there in some unspecified time in the future within the group stage.
Takuma Asano was additionally absent from their first recreation and stays two caps in need of 50. Shogo Taniguchi is midway in the direction of that mark, amassing his twenty fifth cap on Sunday.
Takehiro Tomiyasu is three away from 40, and Zion Suzuki made simply his fifth look between the sticks.
Attainable Lineups:
Iraq: (4-2-3-1)
Hassan;
H. Ali, Natiq, Adnan, Doski;
Rashid, Resan;
Bayesh, Jasim, Amyn;
M. Ali
Japan: (4-2-3-1)
Suzuki;
Sugawara, Itakura, Taniguchi, H. Ito;
Endo, Morita;
J. Ito, Minamino, Kubo;
Ueda
Prediction: Iraq 1-3 Japan
Iraq has solely missed the knockout stage of this event as soon as of their Asian Cup historical past, whereas Japan has triumphed in 12 straight Asian Cup group matches because the final time they didn’t win a gaggle fixture on this competitors, which dates again to 2011.
Japan’s assault has been sensational over their previous eleven matches, they usually appear poised to proceed their profitable run.