World Cup Qualifying - Asia | Third Round

Mar 20, 2025 at 12am UK

Japan vs Bahrain

Match preview

Japan have been on an incredible run since their penalty shoot-out defeat to Croatia at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, winning 22 of their next 27 matches in all competitions.

Those results have seen Japan top Group B in the second round of World Cup qualifying with six wins from six games, while they are on course to secure direct qualification to the World Cup by finishing top of the third round.

Hajime Moriyasu, who has been in charge since August 2018, has guided the team to five wins and a draw from their six games so far in the third round of qualifiers, leaving them on 16 points and nine points clear of second-placed Australia.

Japan could become the first non-host nation and the fastest team in history to qualify for the next World Cup if they beat Bahrain on Thursday, while a draw could be enough depending on results elsewhere.

Moriyasu will be aware, however, that the game against Bahrain is far from a comfortable one, with the visitors fighting for a chance to finish in the top four.

Bahrain are also in fine form heading into Thursday's clash, having won four and lost just one of their last five matches, a run that included lifting the Gulf Cup trophy after a dramatic 2-1 win over Oman in the final.

Bahrain, who last lifted the Gulf Cup in 2019, had to come from 1-0 down against Oman, who took the lead in the 17th minute, and two goals in the 78th and 80th minutes were enough to complete the comeback and secure the silverware.

However, that form has not been repeated in their opening six AFC World Cup qualifiers, with one win, three draws and two defeats to leave them just outside the top four in fifth place.

Dragan Talajic's side are level on points with China, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia, while they trail second-placed Australia by just one point with four games remaining.

Bahrain have struggled against Japan in the past, losing all four previous meetings, including a 5-0 humiliation in the reverse fixture in September 2024.

Recent Performance

Japan World Cup Qualifying - Asia form:WWWWDW

Bahrain World Cup Qualifying - Asia form:DWLDDL

Bahrain form (all competitions):LWWLWW

Team News

With a potential World Cup berth on the line in the upcoming qualifiers, Moriyasu has named an expectedly strong squad, with the usual inclusion of Kaoru Mitoma and Takefusa Kubo.

Ayase Ueda was also recalled after a spell on the sidelines, while Hiroki Ito returned to the side after a lengthy injury lay-off.

With the opportunity to secure qualification with a win on Thursday, Moriyasu is expected to name several of these players in his starting eleven, with a strong team likely.

Bahrain are expected to field a similar side to the one that won the Gulf Cup, with top scorer Mohamed Marhoon likely to start.

In defence, Waleed Al-Hayam and Amine Benadi are expected to start at centre-back, while Abdulla Al-Khalasi and Hamad Al-Shamsan will start at full-back.

Possible starting lineup

Japan possible starting lineup:

Suzuki; Seko, Itakura, H Ito, J Ito, Endo, Tanaka, Mitoma; Kubo, Kamada; Furuhashi

Bahrain possible starting lineup:

Lutfalla; Al-Shamsan, Benadi, Al-Hayam, Al-Khalasi; Saeed, Al-Aswad; Madan, Marhoon, Al-Humaidan; Romaihi