Japan, the four-time champions of the Asian Cup, advanced to the quarter-finals with an impressive 3-1 win over Bahrain at the Al Thumama Stadium on Wednesday.
Ritsu Doan, Takefusa Kubo, and Ayase Ueda scored the goals that secured Japan’s place in the next round.
Bahrain’s coach, Juan Anotnio Pizzi, was hoping to avenge his team’s defeat to Japan at the same stage in 2019 when he was in charge of the Saudi Arabia team.
However, Japan’s commanding performance never gave Bahrain a chance to settle into the game.
Hajime Moriyasu, the coach of Japan, praised his team’s efforts: “All Asian teams here at the Asian Cup are getting better, the level of football has grown. But even though other teams are growing, we’ve managed to improve as well, which is down to our players’ efforts. But I don’t think today’s performances were 100%, and we can still improve.”
Japan took the lead in the 31st minute when Seiya Maikuma hit the post with a magnificent strike, but midfielder Ritsu Doan was quick to react and scored from close range.
Just after halftime, Japan doubled their lead through Takefusa Kubo, who received the ball inside the box and fired home after a VAR check for an offside call.
Bahrain pulled a goal back from a corner when Japan’s keeper, Zion Suzuki, saved Sayed Baqer’s header, but Ayase Ueda’s attempt to head the ball clear resulted in an own goal.
Although Japan couldn’t keep a clean sheet, Ueda made amends for his mistake by scoring his team’s third goal.
He evaded three Bahrain defenders and scored from a tight angle to beat the keeper.
The game also saw the return of Kaoru Mitoma from injury.
The Brighton & Hove Albion winger made an immediate impact with his agility and speed, creating several chances and skipping past defenders with ease.
However, Japan failed to capitalize on his forays into the box, and Bahrain’s keeper Ebrahim Lutfalla denied them a fourth goal.
Pizzi praised Japan’s quality: “It was a difficult match; they were stronger, better than us technically and physically. They have players with great individual skills. Japan has had the same coach for many years, and even their substitutes had the same quality when they came off the bench.”
Overall, it was an impressive performance by Japan, who will face the winner of the last-16 tie between Iran and Syria later on Wednesday.
