Japan Advances To The Asian Cup Quarterfinals With 3-1 Win Against Bahrain – News18

DOHA, Qatar: Japan maintained its pursuit of a document-extending fifth Asian Cup title on Wednesday by advancing to the quarterfinals with a 3-1 win towards Bahrain.

The pre-match favourite has bounced again from a shock 2-1 loss towards Iraq within the group stage and can play both Iran or Syria within the subsequent spherical.

Goals from Ritsu Doan, Takefusa Kubo and Ayase Ueda secured Japan’s place within the final eight, whereas Zion Suzuki’s personal aim was the one comfort for Bahrain.

Bahrain had superior because the winner of Group E forward of one other of the pre-match favorites, South Korea. It could have thought-about itself unlucky, then, to face 4-time champion Japan within the spherical of 16, which completed runner-up in Group D.

Japan went forward within the thirty first minute when Seiya Maikuma’s lengthy-vary shot got here again off the submit and Doan transformed on the rebound.

Kubo doubled the lead 4 minutes into the second half when he spun and completed from shut vary.

Bahrain was given hope of a comeback within the sixty fourth as Sayed Baqer’s highly effective header was parried into the air by Suzuki. The Japan goalkeeper then tried to catch the ball, however collided with Ayase, who was trying to move clear off the aim-line and the ball was fumbled into the online.

Ayase restored Japan’s two-aim benefit eight minutes later when firing low on the close to submit to beat Bahrain keeper Ebrahim Lutfalla.

Three-time champion Iran was enjoying Syria within the final spherical of 16 sport in a while Wednesday.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)