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Tournament favourites Japan take on one of the surprise packets of the Asian Cup so far, United Arab Emirates (UAE) at Sydney’s Stadium Australia. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 8:30pm (AEDT).
Japan did not concede a goal in their opening three group games, having put seven past their opponents. Importantly they have also been free of any injury or suspension concerns and have started the same XI in all three games.
The Japanese boast a trio of deadly attackers, with the tournament’s leading scorer and star player Keisuke Honda superb so far and the two Shinjis – Kagawa and Okazaki. Evergreen 34-year-old Yasuhito Endo was also excellent in his team’s 1-0 victory against Iraq.
Japan’s defence has been solid but to be fair rarely tested against what has been a fairly generous group in regards to talent. They face their sternest test so far when they confront a surprisingly energetic and talented UAE team.
The Emirates could consider themselves unlucky not to have won their group. They needed only a draw in their final group game against Iran and held out the Iranians until they conceded a gut wrenching goal in injury time. A draw would have seen them avoid Japan and instead face Iraq in a game where the Emirates most probably would have started favourites.
Nonetheless it was another entertaining performance by UAE and they deserved better than a loss after looking the better team for vast periods of the game.
It’s been a real team performance from UAE so far in the tournament. Their defence has been solid, led by goalkeeper Majed Naserand, and defenders Mohanad Salem and Mohammed Ahmed.
Amer Abdulrahman and Khamis Ismail have been reliable in the middle of the park, and Ali Mabkhout and Ahmed Khalil have created chances up front with their running and skill.
But the standout, and one of the players of the tournament so far, has been the brilliant Omar Abdulrahman. He looked like the best player on the pitch against Iran and his creativeness and superb skills will cause Japan plenty of headaches.
Prediction
The Emirates have been entertaining and their attack is a threat to any team in this tournament, but against undoubtedly the most professional and best team in the tournament, they are going to have to lift to a whole new level.
The Japanese possession-based game will look to limit the Emirates’ time on the ball, their defence is far stronger than any the Emirates have so far faced, and it’s hard to see how the Emirates can stop Japan’s star-studded attack.
Japan to win 3-1 in what could turn out to be one of the games of the tournament.
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