Match report

Japan Defeats Bahrain 2-0 in World Cup Qualification Asia

Japan
Japan
2–0
FT
Bahrain
Bahrain
Mar 20, 2025

Japan secured a convincing 2-0 victory over Bahrain in their World Cup Qualification Asia match, with goals from D. Kamada and T. Kubo, solidifying their position in the group. The game saw early VAR intervention cancel a Japan goal, but the team maintained their composure to secure the win with late goals, ensuring they move closer to securing their place in the World Cup.

Key Facts

  • • Japan defeated Bahrain 2-0 in World Cup Qualification Asia
  • • D. Kamada scored the opening goal in the 66th minute, assisted by T. Kubo
  • • T. Kubo scored the second goal in the 87th minute, assisted by J. Ito
  • • W. Endo's goal was cancelled by VAR in the 10th minute
  • • A. Benaddi received a yellow card for Bahrain in the 19th minute
  • • T. Kubo was shown a yellow card for Japan in the 88th minute

Lineups

Japan

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Starting XI

  • 1 Z. Suzuki (G)
  • 22 A. Seko (D)
  • 4 K. Itakura (D)
  • 21 H. Ito (D)
  • 10 R. Doan (M)
  • 6 W. Endo (M)
  • 5 H. Morita (M)
  • 7 K. Mitoma (M)
  • 20 T. Kubo (F)
  • 8 T. Minamino (F)
  • 9 A. Ueda (F)

Substitutes

  • 2 Y. Sugawara
  • 3 K. Takai
  • 11 D. Maeda
  • 12 K. Osako
  • 13 K. Nakamura
  • 14 J. Ito
  • 15 D. Kamada
  • 16 Y. Nakayama
  • 17 A. Tanaka
  • 19 R. Hatate
  • 23 K. Tani
  • — S. Machino

Bahrain

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 22 E. Lutfalla (G)
  • 5 H. Al Shamsan (D)
  • 2 A. Benaddi (D)
  • 3 W. Al Hayam
  • 23 A. Al Khalasi
  • 4 S. Dhiya
  • 10 K. Al Aswad
  • 7 A. Madan (M)
  • 8 M. Marhoon (M)
  • 20 M. Humaidan
  • 12 M. Abduljabbar

Substitutes

  • 6 V. Emmanuel
  • 9 A. Al Khattal
  • 11 I. Abdullatif
  • 13 M. Al Romaihi
  • 14 A. Haram
  • 15 A. J. Shaikh
  • 16 S. M. Baqer
  • 17 S. Al Wadaei
  • 18 H. Ali
  • 19 H. Abdulkarim
  • 21 S. Ahmed
  • 1 A. Fardan

Timeline

  1. Japan
    10' Japan Var · Goal cancelled
    W. Endo
  2. Bahrain
    19' Bahrain Card · Yellow Card
    Amine Benaddi

    Foul

  3. Japan
    46' Japan subst · Substitution 1
    Off: H. Morita · On: A. Tanaka
  4. Bahrain
    61' Bahrain subst · Substitution 1
    Off: M. Abduljabbar · On: M. Al Romaihi
  5. Japan
    63' Japan subst · Substitution 2
    Off: R. Doan · On: J. Ito
  6. Japan
    63' Japan subst · Substitution 3
    Off: T. Minamino · On: D. Kamada
  7. Japan
    66' Japan Goal · Normal Goal
    D. Kamada · Assist: T. Kubo
  8. Japan
    76' Japan subst · Substitution 4
    Off: K. Mitoma · On: K. Nakamura
  9. Bahrain
    82' Bahrain subst · Substitution 2
    Off: H. Al Shamsan · On: V. Emmanuel
  10. Bahrain
    85' Bahrain subst · Substitution 3
    Off: A. Madan · On: H. Abdulkarim
  11. Japan
    86' Japan subst · Substitution 5
    Off: A. Ueda · On: S. Machino
  12. Japan
    87' Japan Goal · Normal Goal
    T. Kubo · Assist: J. Ito
  13. Japan
    88' Japan Card · Yellow Card
    T. Kubo

Match Stats

Stat Japan Bahrain
Fouls 18 5
Pass Accuracy 85% 73%
Offsides 2 3
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 12 7
Corners 8 1
Total Passes 565 360
Yellow Cards 1 1
Blocked Shots 4 2
Shots on Target 4 2
xG — —
Shots off Target 4 3
Possession 61% 39%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 481 264
Shots Inside Box 11 5
Saves 2 2
Shots Outside Box 1 2

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Japan's early goal was cancelled by VAR, but they maintained their composure and went on to dominate the second half
  • ▸ The opening goal by D. Kamada in the 66th minute shifted momentum in favor of Japan, leading to a decisive second goal by T. Kubo just minutes later in the 87th minute