Japan and Takumi Minamino are in the Asian Cup quarterfinals | OneFootball

Facing Bahrain in the round of 16, the Samurai Blue honored their their ranking status by winning 3-1, and will play the quarterfinals of the competition against Iran or Syria.

They were the overwhelming favorites before kick-off, and against Bahrain, a modest 86th in the FIFA rankings, in the round of 16 of the Asian Cup, Japan was able to honor its place to overcome a team by showing great seriousness, winning by a score of three goals to one.

A controlled match

A substitute at kick-off, it was from the bench that Takumi Minamino witnessed his team’s first two goals, scored by Ritso Doan, shortly after the half-hour mark (31′), and by Takefusa Kubo just after the break (49′), as well as the opponent’s reduction of the lead on an own goal from the Japanese goalkeeper, Zion Suzuki (64′).

That was the moment decided by coach Hajime Moriyasu to bring on the attacking midfielder from AS Monaco (68′). Largely dominant, the Samurai Blue managed to seal the result a few moments later through the former Cercle Bruges striker, Ayase Ueda (72′), with a powerful strike which passed between the legs of the Bahrain goalkeeper.

In quarters against Syria or Iran

The Japanese then created several dangerous chances on the counter without managing to make the difference. No matter, the unfortunate finalists of the last edition in 2019 will therefore see a place in the quarterfinals, which will take place this Saturday from 12:30 p.m., against Iran. Daghe Taki! 🇯🇵