Bahrain will welcome Japan to Bahrain National Stadium in the third round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday. Both teams began their campaigns with a win last week and will look to sign off for the international break on a positive note.
The hosts met Australia in their campaign opener and registered a 1-0 win. It was a close game and Harry Souttar's own goal in the 89th minute helped the Reds record their first win in history against Australia while also keeping their first clean sheet in this fixture.
The Samurai Blue hosted China in their campaign opener last week and recorded a commanding 7-0 win. Takumi Minamino bagged a brace while substitute Junya Ito scored once and picked up two assists.
Bahrain's Home Advantage
The Reds have a good home record in the World Cup qualifiers, suffering just one loss in their last nine games while recording six wins, and will look to build on that form. Interestingly, their two wins against the Samurai Blue have both been registered at home.
Japan's Away Dominance
The visitors have an impressive record in the World Cup qualifiers and have registered six consecutive away wins while keeping clean sheets. They have won their last three meetings against the hosts, including a 3-1 triumph in the Asian Cup earlier this year, and are strong favorites.
A Clash of Styles
Considering the visitors' impressive record against the Reds and their current goalscoring form, Japan are expected to record a comfortable win. However, Bahrain will be looking to capitalize on their home advantage and upset the odds.
The Match Preview
The match is scheduled for a 7pm kick-off at the National Stadium in Riffa, Bahrain. The game will be both teams' second assignments in qualification Group C.
Bahrain's fans have free entry for the affair. They will be seated on the left of the VIP section of the National Stadium as well as in the unroofed stands on the opposite end. Japan's fans attending will be on the right side of the VIP seats next to the family section.
The Coaches' Perspective
Bahrain's head coach, Dragan Talajic, expressed his confidence in his team's ability to challenge Japan, despite the visitors' strong form. He emphasized the importance of playing in front of their home crowd and the team's determination to secure a positive result.
Japan's head coach, Hajime Moriyasu, acknowledged the difficulty of the match and stressed the importance of adapting to the conditions in Bahrain. He also expressed his admiration for Bahrain's recent performance against Australia.
Key Players to Watch
For Bahrain, Kamil Al Aswad and Mahdi Abd Al Jabar will be key players to watch in attack. They will need to be at their best to break down Japan's strong defense.
For Japan, Junya Ito and Takefusa Kubo will be looking to continue their impressive form from their first match. They are capable of creating chances and scoring goals at any moment.
Prediction: Bahrain 1-3 Japan
With Japan's superior form and experience, they are likely to emerge victorious in this match. However, Bahrain's home advantage and recent upset win over Australia could make this a more competitive match than expected.
Betting Tips
- Result - Japan to win
- Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Over 2.5 goals
- At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes
- Junya Ito to score or assist any time - Yes
The match between Bahrain and Japan will be a crucial one in the race for qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Both teams will be looking to secure a victory to maintain their momentum in the group stage. It will be an exciting match to watch, with a lot at stake for both sides.
The Road to the World Cup
Both teams are in Group C, which also includes Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Australia and China. The top two teams from each group will automatically qualify for the World Cup. The third-placed team in each group will then advance to a fourth-round playoff.
The third round of Asian qualifiers is a tough and competitive stage. The teams are all vying for a spot in the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The journey to the world's biggest stage will be an exciting and unpredictable one.
This match will be a test for both teams. Bahrain will be looking to build on their recent success, while Japan will be aiming to continue their strong start to the qualifiers. The outcome of this match could have a significant impact on the final standings in Group C.
