🏏 Tue, 25 Mar 2025 19:35 JST
Japan
vs
サウジアラビア代表
3-4-2-1 vs 5-4-1
Substitutes
Substitutes
Match Preview
- On matchday eight of the Asian final qualifying round, leaders Japan (19 points) host third-placed Saudi Arabia (nine points) in an important match. Japan will want a win to move even closer to qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
- Daizen Maeda is deployed as the lone striker, threatening the opposition back line with the pace and work rate honed at Celtic. Through link-up with Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo, he will want to use his mobility against Saudi Arabia's back five.
- The four-man midfield of Keito Nakamura, Ao Tanaka, Wataru Endo and Yukinari Sugawara is a setup balancing experience and technique. The left foot of Nakamura, battling away at Reims, and the intelligence of Leeds' Tanaka hold the key.
- Saudi Arabia's weapon is counter-attacks centred on number 10 Salem Al-Dawsari. With the memory of their win over Argentina at the 2022 World Cup still fresh, this is an opponent Japan cannot take lightly.
- Japan's back three of Hiroki Ito, Ko Itakura and Kota Takai relies on the stability provided by Bayern Munich's Ito at its core. Coordination and covering against Saudi Arabia's quick attacks will be important.
- Although Saudi Arabia's 5-4-1 system is defensive, it features players of fine individual quality such as Al-Buraikan and Al-Juwayr. Japan will need to keep patiently creating chances to break them down.
- Goalkeeper Zion Suzuki will want to show the composure of a first-choice national keeper. Drawing on his Serie A experience at Parma, he will need sharp reactions against Saudi Arabia's quality long-range shots.
- Japan have attacking players such as Ritsu Doan, Junya Ito, Takumi Minamino and Shuto Machino in reserve as substitutes, and will want to make the difference with their strength in the closing stages. The question is whether they can show off their depth of experienced players.