Bahrain Ready to Shock Japan in Crucial World Cup Qualifier

TDT | Manama
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s senior men’s football team is brimming with confidence as they face Japan today at Saitama Stadium 2002 in the third-round Asian qualifier for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Kicking off at 1:35 PM Bahrain time, the Red Tide aims to upset the Group C leaders and keep their World Cup dreams alive.

Head coach Dragan Talajic has instilled a strong belief in his squad, emphasizing their readiness to take on a Japanese side widely regarded as Asia’s best and among the world’s elite. Japan have dominated the qualifiers, sitting on the cusp of securing their World Cup berth, but Talajic sees this as an opportunity for Bahrain to make a statement by defeating the continent’s top team on their home turf. He acknowledged Japan’s impressive campaign during yesterday’s press conference but remains focused on his team’s potential to deliver a historic performance.

The stakes for Bahrain are immense. Tied for fifth in Group C with 16 points alongside Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and China, the nationals are in a tight race for one of the two direct qualification spots to the 2026 World Cup, with only the top two teams advancing automatically. A win today could bring them closer to that goal, while a loss might jeopardize their chances, especially with Australia trailing at seven points.

Bahrain’s historical record against Japan offers little comfort. The teams have met nine times since 1978, with Japan holding a 7-2 advantage. Key encounters include a 3-4 loss for Bahrain in the 1978 Asian Games, 0-1 defeats in 2005 during the 2006 World Cup qualifiers, and Bahrain’s only victories in 2008 (1-0) during the 2010 World Cup qualifiers. Recent matches have been one-sided, with Japan securing a 3-0 win in March 2024 and a 5-0 thrashing in September 2024. Despite this, Talajic remains optimistic, drawing on lessons from that September defeat to fuel his team’s preparation.

Bahrain’s recent Gulf Cup success earlier this year has bolstered their confidence, uniting the squad and giving them a taste of success on a big stage. Star midfielder Ali Jaffar Madan highlighted the team’s resilience, noting that playing during the holy month is a familiar challenge for the squad as Muslim players, and they are ready to face Japan head-on.

Tactically, Bahrain will rely on a disciplined defense and swift counterattacks. Goalkeeper Ebrahim Lutfalla will anchor the backline, supported by defenders Waleed Al-Hayam and Amine Benadi, while Madan and Mahdi Al-Humaidan will look to create chances for striker Romaihi. Japan, led by coach Hajime Moriyasu, will field a formidable lineup featuring Kaoru Mitoma, Wataru Endo, and Kyogo Furuhashi, posing a significant challenge for the visitors.

Talajic believes Bahrain desperately needs the three points on offer to stay in the qualification race, while Japan may only need a few more to confirm their spot. His strategy is to play open, attacking football, reflecting the team’s determination to seize this opportunity. For Bahrain, a win would not only keep their World Cup hopes alive but also prove they can compete with Asia’s best, a breakthrough the nation craves after near-misses in 2006 and 2010 qualifiers.

As kick-off nears, Bahrain stands on the brink of history. 3 points today could redefine their footballing legacy and send waves of celebration across the kingdom. The nation holds its breath.

Squads:

Bahrain: Sayid Mohammed Jaafar, Lutfalla; Jassim Marhoon, Komal Al-Aswad, Mahdi Abduljabbar, Mahdi Al-Humaidan, Ahmed Benadi, Amine Benadi, Waleed Al-Hayam, Ebrahim Lutfalla, Ismail Abdulla, Ibrahim Al-Khatal, Hamad Al-Shamsan, Hazza Ali, Vincent Emmanuel, Hussain Abdulkarim, Salem Hussain, Sayed Ahmed, Husain Al-Khalasi; Head Coach: Dragan Talajic.

Japan: Keisuke Osako, Yuto Nagamoto, Zion Suzuki, Koki Machida, Ko Itakura, Hiroki Ito, Yukinari Sugawara, Hidemasa Morita, Wataru Endo, Ao Tanaka, Takumi Minamino, Daichi Kamada, Kaoru Mitoma, Daisuke Maeda, Ritsu Doan, Takefusa Kubo, Kyogo Furuhashi, Junya Ito, Takuma Asano, Ayase Ueda; Head Coach: Hajime Moriyasu.

Possible Starting Lineups:

Bahrain: Lutfalla; Al-Shamsan, Benadi, Al-Hayam, Al-Khalasi; Saeed, Al-Aswad; Madan, Marhoon, Al-Humaidan; Romaihi.

Japan: Suzuki; Seko, Itakura, H Ito, J Ito, Endo, Tanaka, Mitoma; Kubo, Kamada; Furuhashi.