Bahrain vs Japan Preview & Prediction | 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (AFC) | Group C
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The top two in Group C lock horns in Riffa as Bahrain take on Japan, with the hosts hunting for a second successive shock result following their historic 0-1 win away to Australia.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: UK – 5:00pm / US ET – 12:00pm / US PT – 9:00am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Not televised / US – Not televised
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Bet365 & FIFA+ / US – FIFA+
BAHRAIN PREVIEW: HOSTS RIDING CREST OF A WAVE FOLLOWING STUNNER DOWN UNDER
Bahrain were given little chance last Thursday against a nation whom they had never beaten across their history. However, Dragan Talajic’s side dug in under intense attacking pressure and caught a huge break deep into the second half as Socceroos striker Kusini Yengi was sent off. With the man advantage, Bahrain grew into confidence and pushed men forward, which led to them being rewarded in the 89th minute.
An own goal from Aussie centre-back Harry Souttar, who deflected a cross into his own net gave Bahrain a shock lead, which they ultimately hung onto, giving them not only one of the biggest wins in their nation’s footballing history, but also three precious points in their World Cup qualification third round campaign.
JAPAN PREVIEW: SAMURAI BLUE ATTACKING PLAY THE ENVY OF AFC RIVALS
Japan were tipped by many to set the pace in Group C and they duly did so in emphatic fashion, blowing away China. After going in at half-time 2-0 ahead through goals from Premier League Wataru Endo and Kaoru Mitoma, the Samurai Blue stepped up a gear in the second half and their opponents simply could not cope with the consistent wave of attacks by Japan.
A quick brace by Takumi Minamino made it four nil, before the lead was extended to six as substitutes Junya Ito and Daizen Maeda both got on the scoresheet. Takefusa Kubo added a seventh deep into injury time.
BAHRAIN TEAM NEWS: PROVIDED FITNESS LEVELS ARE GOOD, HOME SIDE SHOULD KEEP WINNING FORMULA
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Lutfalla; Emmanuel, Baqer, Benaddi, Al-Khalasi; Madan, Haram, Al Asfoor, Marhoon; Al Aswad, Hasan
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
JAPAN TEAM NEWS: DESPITE SUBSTITUTES PUSHING FOR STARTS, UNCHANGED XI IS LIKELY
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Suzuki; Itakura, Taniguchi, Machida; Doan, Morita, Endo, Mitoma; Kubo, Ueda, Minamino,
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
BAHRAIN VS JAPAN PREDICTION
As incredible as Bahrain’s triumph in Australia was, to ask their players to pull off arguably a bigger surprise result less than a week later is a huge ask both physically and mentality for their group of players. Japan are a well-drilled, ruthless outfit whose clinical edge going forward makes them a different prospect compared to Australia. Ultimately, Japan should be backed to bring Bahrain back down to earth and cement their status as Group C leaders with victory here.
BAHRAIN VS JAPAN TIP: JAPAN TO WIN
