Arab News Japan

DUBAI: Pre-tournament favourites Japan beat Bahrain 3-1 in Qatar’s Al Thumama Stadium to book a place in the quarter-finals of the Asian Cup.

The Samurai Blue scored their goals through Ritsu Doan, Kubo and Ueda while Bahrain were helped by a self goal from Japan.

#WATCH: The #SamuraiBlue team arrived at the #AsianCup2023 for their match against #Bahrain at #Qatar's at Al Thumama Stadium pic.twitter.com/fmB6RQJCVV

— Arab News Japan (@ArabNewsjp) January 31, 2024

This is the 13th meeting between Bahrain and Japan with the Blue Samurai well and truly having the upper hand in previous encounters.

Japan have ten wins with just two victories for Bahrain, while one ended in a draw.

This is the fourth meeting between the two sides at the Asian Cup. Japan won 2-0 when they last met in the competition in 2010.

Japan had already lost one match and won two others in their three group games so far.

The final match of the Asian Cup 2023 will take place on Feb. 10.