The ultimate day of spherical of 16 fixtures on the Asian Cup will start with Bahrain taking up Japan on Wednesday at Al Thumama Stadium.
Bahrain completed prime of Group E with six factors, whereas Japan completed second in Group D regardless of their 3-1 win over Indonesia.
Match preview
After a tricky loss to South Korea, Bahrain bounced again properly, profitable their closing two matches by a 1-0 rating and ending on the prime of their group for the primary time on this competitors.
That is solely Bahrain’s third look within the knockout stage of this match, and so they have gained their opening Asian Cup knockout fixture as soon as earlier than, in 2004.
Bahrain have gained their final 5 matches when scoring the opening objective, with out conceding a single objective throughout that stretch.
Japan claimed a cushty victory of their closing group stage match, advancing to the knockout stage for the ninth successive event.
The Japanese have a powerful report of their opening knockout fixtures, profitable 5 out of the final six editions of this competitors.
After their loss to Iraq, Japan appeared extra like themselves of their match in opposition to Indonesia, scoring three or extra targets for the sixth time of their final seven encounters.
Japan have additionally been stable defensively, preserving clear sheets in three of their final 4 knockout fixtures on the Asian Cup.
Bahrain haven’t defeated Japan since 2009, whereas Japan have gained 4 of their final 5 contests in opposition to Bahrain.
Workforce Information
Amine Benaddi continues to be coping with a knock and should miss the match for Bahrain.
Bahrain made three adjustments of their beginning 11 for his or her final match, with Abdullah Al-Khalasi, Jasim Al-Shaikh, and Abdulla Yusuf Helal changing different gamers.
Kaoru Mitoma continues to be recovering from an ankle harm and should not function for Japan.
Takuma Asano can attain 50 caps for the Samurai Blue on this match.
Potential lineups
Bahrain: (4-2-3-1)
Lutfalla;
Adel, Baqer, Al Hayam, Ali;
Al-Shaikh, Al-Wali;
Madan, Al-Aswad, Marhoon;
Yusuf Helal
Japan: (4-2-3-1)
Suzuki;
Sugawara, Itakura, Tomiyasu, H. Ito;
Endo, Morita;
J. Ito, Kubo, Minamino;
Ueda
Prediction: Bahrain 1-4 Japan
Japan is predicted to be sharper within the assault and safe a win in opposition to Bahrain. Bahrain’s lack of expertise in huge matches could make it troublesome for them to maintain up with Japan’s attacking choices.