World Cup Qualifying - Asia | Third Round

Mar 25, 2025 at 12am UK

Japan vs Saudi Arabia

Match preview

Japan became the first team to book their place at next summer's finals after a 2-0 home win over Bahrain on Thursday, courtesy of goals from Daichi Kamada and Take Kubo.

The Samurai Blue have now avoided defeat in all 13 of their qualifying matches, including six wins from seven in the third stage of World Cup qualifying (D1).

Despite being guaranteed a place in their eighth consecutive World Cup finals, Japan will be keen to maintain their unbeaten record in their final three matches against Saudi Arabia, Australia and Indonesia.

Japan will be looking for another potent attacking display after scoring 24 goals in their seven Group C matches - 10 more than any other team in the second round of qualifying.

Hajime Moriyasu's side also boast a resolute backline that has kept 11 clean sheets in 13 qualifying matches.

Unlike the hosts, Saudi Arabia have their work cut out if they are to reach a third successive finals.

They have won just two of their seven games in the second round of qualifying (D3, L2), with both victories coming against China, including Thursday's narrow 1-0 home win thanks to Salem Al-Dawsari's second-half strike.

Saudi Arabia are one point off an automatic qualifying spot and three points clear of the bottom two, with their current position putting them on course for an extra round.

The Green Falcons will need to improve in the final third if they are to snatch second place, having failed to score in four of their last five qualifiers.

On the road, however, they have proved to be a tough outfit to beat, recording three wins, two draws and one defeat from their six away games in the current qualifying cycle.

Recent Performance

Japan World Cup Qualifying - Asia form:WWWDWW

Saudi Arabia World Cup Qualifying - Asia form:DWLDDW

Saudi Arabia form (all competitions):WLWWLW

Team News

Japan will be without midfielder Hidemasa Morita and striker Ayase Ueda after the pair were ruled out through injury.

Leeds United's Ao Tanaka and Holstein Kiel's Shuto Machino appear to be the favourites to replace Morita and Ueda respectively.

Crystal Palace's Kamada is also pushing for a starting berth after scoring as a substitute on Thursday, while Junya Ito is another name who could be in line to start.

For the visitors, Herve Renard will be without Roma defender Saud Abdulhamid, who picked up a muscle injury in the win over China.

Like Abdulhamid, Al-Ittihad centre-back Hassan Kadesh was also forced off on Thursday and is a doubt for Tuesday's game.

Ali Lajami is set to replace Kadesh in the middle of a back four, while Muhannad Al-Shanqeeti is set to replace Abdulhamid at right-back.

Possible starting lineup

Japan possible starting lineup:

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

Saudi Arabia possible starting lineup:

Al-Aqidi; Al-Shanqeeti, Tambakti, Lajami, Boushal; Al-Juwayr, Al-Ghamdi, Yahya, N. Al-Dawsari, S. Al-Dawsari; Al-Buraikan