Japan vs Saudi Arabia: Japan aim to keep continue their good run of form when they host Saudi Arabia in the World Cup Qualifiers on Tuesday.
Match Details:
Teams: Japan vs Saudi Arabia
Venue: Saitama Stadium, Saitama, Japan
Date: Tuesday 1st February, 2022
Time: 03:44 PM IST
Live Link: https://www.youtube.com/AFCAsianCup
🎥 HIGHLIGHTS | 🇯🇵 Japan 2-0 China PR 🇨🇳
🎌 The Samurai Blue make it 4️⃣ straight wins on the #RoadToQatar!
#AsianQualifiers | #JPNvCHN pic.twitter.com/2MYkklJftI
— #WAC2022 (@afcasiancup) January 28, 2022
Preview
Japan come into this after a comfortable 2-0 home win over China in their previous clash, keeping them well and truly on the way to securing a World Cup berth.
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Osako and Ito scored in either half to send Japan to 2nd place in Group B with 15 points from 7 matches.
The Samurai Blue need to win their remaining matches to ensure direct qualification.
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On the other hand, group B toppers Saudi Arabia beat Oman 1-0 in their last match through Al-Birakan’s second half effort.
2 more wins is all they need to ensure World Cup 2022 status. Saudi Arabia has been brilliant in the group stage with 19 points from 7 matches, which includes 6 wins.
It’s a battle of the top 2 sides in the group and promises some high-octane action.
Both sides last met in the reverse leg last year, where Saudi Arabia clinched a 1-0 win with Al-Birakan scoring the winner.
Form Guide
Japan: WWWWL
Saudi Arabia: WLDLW
Last Matches of both teams:
Japan 2-0 China
Saudi Arabia 1-0 Oman
📸⎪⚽️ pic.twitter.com/HLRY09x33g
— Saudi National Team (@SaudiNT_EN) January 30, 2022
Where to watch the live stream and broadcast of Japan vs Saudi Arabia in India?
The match can be live streamed on either’s country national Football Association Social media handles or on the above mentioned YouTube link.
Team News
Tomiyasu is the sole absentee for the hosts due to a calf injury.
Meanwhile; Saudi has a number of players missing out in Bawardi, Ghareeb and Salman due to long term injuries.
Japan possible 11:
Gonda, Sakat, Itakura, Ueda, Nagatomo, Endo, Ito, Tanaka, Morita, Kubo and Osako
🇯🇵 2-0 🇨🇳
🇦🇺 4-0 🇻🇳
🇸🇦 1-0 🇴🇲#WCQ | #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/gbp0xerwuN— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) January 27, 2022
Saudi Arabia possible 11:
Al-Owais, Al-Ghanam, Al-Amri, Al-Bulaihi, Al-Shahrani, Kanno, Al-Khaibari, Al-Hassan, Al-Najel, Al-Dawsari and Al-Buraikan
Prediction: Japan 1-0 Saudi Arabia
Given they are at home, we see the Samurai Blue getting maximum points here. Saudi has seen indifferent form in recent matches and could be under the pump here.
The hosts have more quality in their ranks and should pick up a vital win.
