🏏 Fri, 11 Oct 2024 03:00 JST
サウジアラビア代表
vs
Japan
4-3-3 vs 3-4-2-1
Substitutes
Substitutes
Match Preview
- The third match of the Asian final qualifying round. Japan have racked up high-scoring back-to-back wins against China (7-0) and Bahrain (5-0) to lead with six points. The away fixture against a strong Saudi Arabia side is an important test on the road to the World Cup.
- Saudi Arabia boast a deep attack with the likes of Salem Al-Dawsari and Al-Buraikan, and take on Japan in a 4-3-3. Al-Dawsari in particular has a track record from the previous World Cup and produces results as a central figure for Al-Hilal in the domestic league.
- Wataru Endo returns to the holding role and dominates midfield in partnership with Ko Watanabe. Wearing the captain's armband, Endo draws on his Premier League experience at Liverpool to bring stability to the team even in a difficult away environment.
- Daichi Kamada and Takumi Minamino operate as the two shadow strikers, supporting lone striker Ayase Ueda. Kamada at Crystal Palace and Minamino at Monaco have each gained experience in Europe's top leagues, and will challenge the Saudi defence with creative attacking play.
- Japan's back three is made up of Shogo Taniguchi, Ko Itakura and Koki Machida. Coping with the Middle Eastern heat and the artificial pitch conditions, the key for the defence is how to shut down Saudi Arabia's quick attacks.
- Jeddah's King Abdullah Sports City is a 60,000-capacity stadium where fervent Saudi supporters provide a boost. The test for Japan is how to repel the pressure of playing away.
- On the bench are attacking players such as Takefusa Kubo, Junya Ito, Koki Ogawa and Daizen Maeda, expected to serve as jokers who can change the flow of the game. Kubo in particular is likely to be used as a substitute, with the task of slicing through a tired opposition defence.
- Saudi Arabia have appointed Herve Renard as successor to former manager Roberto Mancini, and the tactical changes are also of interest. It will be intriguing to see what kind of game Saudi Arabia, who beat Argentina at the 2022 World Cup, produce against Japan.