DOHA: Four-time champions Japan had no problems qualifying for the quarter-finals of the Asian Cup 2023 when they beat Bahrain 3-1 in the round of 16 at Al Thumama Stadium here yesterday.
Despite grappling with Bahrain’s physical game, the Samurai Blue served a warning in the 10th minute when Ayase Ueda’s close-range header off a cross from Takefusa Kubo forced Ebrahim Lutfalla to push the ball out.
The squad guided by Hajime Moriyasu used their fast play and short passing to good effect and finally broke the deadlock in the 31st minute after Ritsu Doan pounced on Seiya Maikuma’s swift shot which rocked the goal post.
The score stayed at 1-0 until half-time but Japan did not take long to score their second goal after the interval.
A mistake by Bahrain defender Abdulla Yusuf in pushing the ball towards his own goalmouth during a melee saw Kubo, who was offside, coolly slotting the ball in to put Japan two up in the 49th minute.
The goal was confirmed by referee Ahmad Alali after viewing the VAR recording on the side of the field.
Bahrain stepped up their attacks and managed to reduce the deficit when a header by Sayed Baqer slipped from Zion Suzuki’s hands and rolled past Japan’s goal line in the 64th minute.
However, eight minutes later Japan widened their lead when Ueda latched onto a pass from Maikuma before beating three Bahrain defenders in a solo run and unleashing a right-footed shot past Ebrahim.
Japan, Asia’s highest ranked team at world number 17, had several more golden opportunities to score but were let down by poor finishing.
In the quarter-finals at Education City Stadium on Saturday, Japan will play the winners of the clash between three-time champions Iran and Syria, who meet in another round-of-16 match today. – BERNAMA
