Tokyo, Japan – On March 20, 2025, Japan go dey ready to face Bahrain for di third round of di AFC World Cup qualifiers. Dis match go take place as Japan dey lead Group C, while Bahrain dey struggle to climb up di table.
Since dem exit di 2022 FIFA World Cup on penalties against Croatia, Japan don show dem strength, win 22 of dia last 27 games across all competitions. Currently, dem lead Group B in di second round of qualifiers with six wins from six matches. If dem fit beat Bahrain on Thursday, dem go fit qualify directly for di World Cup.
Coach Hajime Moriyasu, wey don dey in-charge since August 2018, don steer di team to five wins and one draw in di current qualifying round, giving dem 16 points, a nine-point gap ahead of second-placed Australia. Before di match, Moriyasu talk say, “Bahrain no go be easy match. Dem dey fight for dia lives and go come strong for dis encounter.”
On di other hand, Bahrain don dey find ways to secure their own qualification, currently sitting fifth in di group. Even though dem dey outside di top four on goal difference, dem don win four out of dia last five matches, including a dramatic 2-1 victory over Oman to claim di Gulf Cup trophy. Dis performance go boost dia morale as dem face Japan.
Bahrain last win di Gulf Cup in 2019, coming back from behind in di final. Despite dis recent success, dem struggle for consistency during di World Cup qualifiers, only managing one win, three draws, and two losses so far. Dem dey joint on points with China, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia, just one point behind Australia. Everything dey open for dem as dem get four fixtures left.
Bahrain don struggle against Japan in dia past encounters, losing di last four meetings, including a heavy 5-0 defeat in di reverse fixture for September 2024. Dat history no go give dem any confidence heading into dis match.
As di game dey approach, Moriyasu don name a strong squad to face Bahrain, including players wey get experience for international competition. Players like Daichi Kamada and Kaoru Mitoma dey expected to start, while some key players wey been dey injured don return to di lineup.
Bahrain go try use di momentum from dia Gulf Cup success to turn di tide against Japan, but dem know say dem need to play dia best football for a chance to win. Di expected lineup for Bahrain include top scorers from dia Gulf Cup campaign, and dem go come with plans to counter Japan’s strong attack.
Overall, dis match fit decide who go progress from di group as Japan seek to continue dia unbeaten run, while Bahrain dey fight for survival. Di match promise to be a thriller, with plenty of stakes for both teams.
