AFC Asian Cup 2023 witnessed Japan’s dominant display against Bahrain, securing a 3-1 victory. Ritsu Doan’s opener, VAR drama, and Ayase Ueda’s decisive goal.
AFC Asian Cup 2023 Round 16
Japan showcased their superior technical prowess in a commanding 3-1 win over Bahrain during their AFC Asian Cup round of 16 encounter. The match, held at Al Thumuma Stadium, unfolded with Japan dominating possession and demonstrating their attacking prowess.
Japan vs Bahrain – AFC Asia Cup Date & Time
Match Details:
- Match: Bahrain vs Japan (BAH vs JPN)
- League: AFC Asia Cup
- Date: Wednesday, 31st January 2024
- Time: 05:00 PM (IST) / 11:30 AM (GMT)
- Venue: Al Thumama Stadium
Weather Report:
- Conditions: The weather is expected to be clear.
- Rain Forecast: No chances of rain during the match.
AFC Asian Cup 2023: Japan vs Bahrain Key Moments:
- Ritsu Doan’s Opener: Japan broke the deadlock in the first half when Ritsu Doan capitalized on a rebound, following Reo Hatate’s powerful 30-yard effort hitting the woodwork.
- VAR Drama and Kubo’s Goal: A second goal for Japan came under VAR scrutiny, with Takefusa Kubo ultimately credited after Bahraini defender Hazza Ali’s touch. The curious circumstances added intrigue to Japan’s lead.
- Defensive Mix-ups and Bahrain’s Response: Bahrain seized an opportunity as a defensive mix-up between Ayase Ueda and goalkeeper Zion Suzuki allowed them to pull one back, keeping the match alive.
- 4. Ueda’s Decisive Goal: Ayase Ueda put the game beyond Bahrain’s reach with a skillful display, turning his shoulder and making a surging run to finish through the legs of the Bahraini goalkeeper, securing Japan’s spot in the quarterfinals.
Japan’s technical finesse and strategic play were evident throughout the contest, setting the stage for a quarterfinal clash with the winner of the Iran-Syria match.
AFC Asian Cup 2023: Japan vs Bahrain Match Preview
Bahrain’s Comeback:
- Recovery from Opening Loss: Bahrain, after a tough start losing to South Korea, made a strong comeback, winning their last two matches 1-0 each and topping their group for the first time in this competition.
- Historic Group Stage Performance: In the group stage, Bahrain achieved a historic feat by winning consecutive Asian Cup fixtures, marking a significant improvement from their pre-tournament form where they lost both preparatory matches 2-0.
- Knockout Stage Challenge: Wednesday’s knockout stage marks only Bahrain’s third appearance, with their sole victory in the opening knockout fixture dating back to 2004 when they outlasted Uzbekistan on penalties.
- Key Stat: Bahrain holds a solid record when scoring the opening goal, winning their last five matches without conceding a goal in those instances.
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Japan Dominance and Knockout History:
- Group Stage Command: Japan, despite an 11-match winning streak ending in the second match, returned to form against Indonesia, showcasing their offensive prowess with three or more goals, a trend in their recent encounters.
- Knockout Stage Prowess: The Samurai Blue have a strong history in the knockout stage, winning their opening fixture in five of the last six Asian Cup editions. Their only defeat in this phase during this period came in a shootout against the United Arab Emirates in 2015.
- Defensive Strength: While known for their attacking flair, Japan has kept opponents scoreless in three of their last four knockout fixtures in the Asian Cup.
- Head-to-Head Record: Japan holds the upper hand in recent encounters against Bahrain, winning four of the last five matches, including a memorable 4-3 extra-time victory in the 2004 semi-finals.
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AFC Asian Cup 2023 Japan (JPN) Confirmed Playing 11:
- Zion Suzuki
- Takehiro Tomiyasu
- Yuta Nakayama
- Kou Itakura
- Seiya Maikuma
- Wataru Endo
- Ritsu Doan
- Takefusa Kubo
- Reo Hatate
- Keito Nakamura
- Ayase Ueda
AFC Asian Cup 2023 Bahrain (BAH) Confirmed Playing 11:
- Ibrahim Lutfalla
- Sayed Mahdi Baqer
- Waleed Mohamed Al-Hayam
- Hazza Ali Ateeq Mubarak
- Mohamed Adel
- Mohamed Jasim Marhoon
- Ali Jaafar Madan
- Jasim Ahmed Al-Shaikh
- Mohamed Al Hardan
- Kamil Al-Aswad
- Abdulla Yusuf Helal
READ ALSO: Iran vs UAE Asian Cup 2024 Iran’s Victory Over UAE.
Conclusion:
Japan’s technical prowess shone in a 3-1 victory over Bahrain in the AFC Asian Cup. Key moments included Ritsu Doan’s opener, VAR drama, defensive mix-ups, and Ayase Ueda’s decisive goal. Bahrain’s comeback from an opening loss showcased resilience. Japan, with a strong knockout history, dominated with an impressive starting XI. In the head-to-head, Japan holds the upper hand, winning nine of 12 encounters.
FAQ:
How did Bahrain perform in the AFC Asian Cup group stage?
Bahrain bounced back after an opening loss to South Korea, winning their last two matches by a 1-0 score, finishing at the top of their group.
What is Japan’s history in the knockout stage of the AFC Asian Cup?
Japan has a strong knockout stage history, winning their opening fixture in five of the last six Asian Cup editions.
How is Japan’s defensive record in recent AFC Asian Cup knockout fixtures?
Japan has kept opponents scoreless in three of their last four knockout fixtures in the AFC Asian Cup.
What is the head-to-head record between Japan and Bahrain?
Japan has won nine out of twelve previous encounters against Bahrain, with Bahrain’s last triumph dating back to January 2009.
What was the significance of Bahrain’s performance in the AFC Asian Cup group stage?
Bahrain achieved a historic feat by winning consecutive Asian Cup fixtures in the group stage, marking a significant improvement from their pre-tournament form.
What is the conclusion of the AFC Asian Cup article in 50 words?
The AFC Asian Cup 2023 showcased Japan’s dominance as they secured a 3-1 victory over Bahrain, highlighted by key moments like Ritsu Doan’s opener and Ayase Ueda’s decisive goal, underlining Japan’s technical prowess and earning them a spot in the quarterfinals.
When and where did the AFC Asian Cup match between Japan and Bahrain take place?
The match was held at Al Thumama Stadium on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at 05:00 PM (IST) / 11:30 AM (GMT).
What were the key moments in the Japan vs. Bahrain AFC Asian Cup match?
Ritsu Doan’s opener, VAR scrutiny leading to Kubo’s goal, a defensive mix-up allowing Bahrain to pull one back, and Ayase Ueda’s decisive goal were the key moments.
