Bahrain vs Japan: Kick-off Nepal Time, Match Preview

Bahrain vs Japan: The Asian Cup match between Bahrain and Japan is Taking place at 5:15 pm Nepal Time & 11:30 UTC, Preview, Team News.

In a highly anticipated Round of 16 encounter at the Al Thumama Stadium on Wednesday, January 31, Bahrain and Japan will lock horns in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, aiming to secure a coveted spot in the quarterfinals.

Bahrain, despite facing an early setback with a 3-1 defeat to South Korea, rallied back to top Group E with six points in five games. The Pearl Divers showcased resilience with consecutive 1-0 victories over Malaysia and Jordan, capitalizing on Korea’s slip to second place in the group standings.

This marks Bahrain’s second consecutive appearance in the Asian Cup knockouts, a significant improvement after three consecutive early exits in previous tournaments.

Japan, on the other hand, surprised many by finishing second in a challenging group featuring Iraq, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Ranked 17th globally, the Samurai Blue, the highest-ranked team in the competition, began their campaign with a thrilling 4-2 win over Vietnam but suffered a 2-1 setback against a spirited Iraq. A convincing 3-1 victory against Indonesia in their final group fixture secured Japan’s passage to the knockout stage.

The history between Bahrain and Japan adds an intriguing dimension to this encounter. In 12 previous clashes, Japan has dominated with nine victories and just two losses. Bahrain’s last triumph over Japan dates back to January 2009, a narrow 1-0 victory in an Asian Cup qualifier. Since then, Japan has secured two victories, 1-0 in March 2009 and 2-0 in March 2010. This match marks their first meeting in nearly 14 years.

Japan enters the fixture in formidable form, having lost only one of their last 13 games and emerging as one of the most prolific sides in the group stage with eight goals, alongside Iraq and South Korea. In contrast, Bahrain, after enduring a four-game losing streak, found their rhythm with two consecutive victories.