Prolific Japan set sights on Saudi Arabia as top teams clash
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Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu will be seeking a third win following the thrashings over China and Bahrain.
PHOTO: AFP
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HONG KONG – Japan face second-placed Saudi Arabia in Group C of Asia’s third round of World Cup qualifiers in Jeddah on Oct 10, looking to continue their prolific start as top-of-the-table clashes take centre stage across the continent.
Hajime Moriyasu’s Japan arrive in the Gulf state having handed out thrashings to China (7-0) and Bahrain (5-0), sounding a warning to the sides chasing one of two automatic World Cup berths available from Group C.
Australia, under new coach Tony Popovic, entertain China in Adelaide while Bahrain host Indonesia. But all are in the shadow of a dominant Japan team, who are already favourites to secure qualification for an eighth consecutive World Cup.
The top two finishers in each of Asia’s three groups in this phase of the preliminaries secure direct passage to the 2026 Finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
The third- and fourth-placed nations progress to a further round.
Teams in the fifth and six spots are eliminated.
Moriyasu’s squad is largely unchanged for the meeting with the Saudis, who will be without Mohamed Kanno, after the midfielder was sent off in their last-gasp 2-1 win over China in Dalian in September.
That victory, secured through a pair of headers from Hassan Kadesh, added some gloss to an uneven window for Roberto Mancini’s team.
It has also left the Saudis two points adrift of the Japanese after two games.
“As we’ve always done, we’ll prepare the best we can to win each match,” Moriyasu said.
“The hardest thing is the battle against the heat. Whether we can perform to our level will be key.”
South Korea, second in Group B, will take on leaders Jordan without their injured captain Son Heung-min.
South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo will be aiming to build on a 3-1 win over Oman, having seen his side draw 0-0 with Palestine in Seoul on Sept 5.
Jordan, who beat the South Koreans in the Asian Cup semi-finals in February, lead the standings on goal difference.
Iraq join their fellow West Asians and South Korea on four points.
Jesus Casas’ Iraq side will host Palestine in Basra.
Oman, under new coach Rashid Jaber, will be taking on Kuwait, who drew their opening fixtures against Jordan and Iraq.
Group A leaders Uzbekistan face Iran in Tashkent, with both teams on six points after their first two games to open up a three-point gap over the United Arab Emirates.
The Paulo Bento-coached Emiratis host North Korea, while back-to-back Asian Cup winners Qatar will be looking for their first win when Kyrgyzstan visit Doha. They have just one point from their two matches after a loss to the UAE and a draw with North Korea. REUTERS
