Preview: Indonesia vs. Japan – prediction, team news, lineups

Two teams on opposite sides of the Group C table meet on Friday afternoon Indonesia host Japan in the AFC World Cup qualifying tournaments.

The home side are fifth in the group table with just three points from four matches, while the visitors top the table with ten points from four matches.

Match example

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Indonesia entered the third round of the AFC FIFA World Cup Qualifiers hoping to secure a spot in just their second ever World Cup, their first since 1938 when, still known as the Dutch East Indies, they became the first side from Asia to took part in the competition. the competition, but were eliminated in the opening round.

Shin Tae Yongwho has been in charge of the team since 2020, is said to have been delighted with the way his side got their third round campaign underway, recording morale-boosting draws against both Saudi Arabia (1-1) and Australia (0-0) .

Although they remained unbeaten after three matches as they drew 2-2 against Bahrain, Indonesia were left disappointed as they threw away their first three points of the group after conceding an equalizer in the 99th minute, having beaten 2-1 had gained an advantage. the last minutes.

Their unbeaten run came to an end in their last outing, where China, despite dominating the match with 76% possession and 14 shots to their opponents’ five, ran out 2–1 winners, leaving Indonesia still looking was to their first win in the group. .

These results not only leave Indonesia still looking for their first win, but also sit in fifth place, two points behind the three teams above them, making every point crucial as they look to keep their World Cup dreams alive to keep.

Tae-yong will be hopeful his team can bounce back from the recent defeat and start their climb up the group standings, but they face tough challenges in the international break, with games against group leaders Japan and Saudi Arabia.

Japan were one of the standout teams in the third round of the AFC World Cup Qualifiers, going undefeated alongside only three other teams, while also having the highest number of goals scored, 15, and the joint-best defensive record, with just one goal conceded.

Hajime Moriyasu will be pleased with Japan’s strong record, especially after their disappointing performance in the 2023 Asian Cup earlier this year, where the Samurai Blue were defeated by Iraq in the group stage and eliminated in the quarter-finals by Iran.

They breezed through the second qualifying round for this leg and were victorious in all six matches, scoring 24 and conceding none, topping the group with 18 points, nine more than second-placed North Korea, and that form continued in the third round. .

Japan’s third round campaign started with an impressive 7-0 win over China, followed by victories against Bahrain (5-0) and Saudi Arabia (2-0), before Australia drew 1-1 in their most recent match draw was held. agreement.

As they look to return to winning ways and move one step closer to securing their place at the World Cup for the eighth consecutive tournament, Moriyasu’s men will face an Indonesian side who comfortably defeated them 3-1 defeated in their last encounter in the Asian Cup group. phase.

Indonesia World Cup qualification – Asia form:

Japan World Cup Qualification – Asia Form:

Team news

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Despite earning just one point from their matches against Bahrain and China during the October international break, Indonesia were dominant in both matches, which could encourage Tae-yong to stick with the same line-up for this match.

Thom Haye came off the bench to score Indonesia’s only goal in the defeat to China last time out, and the midfielder is likely to return to the starting XI alongside Ivar Jenner here.

Kevin Dicks will join the Indonesian squad for the first time after confirming he will play for the Garuda Squad, with the FC Copenhagen defender expected to make his debut against Japan.

Ayase Uedawho started all four Japanese group matches in the third round, has been ruled out of the upcoming matches due to injury. Kyogo Furuhashi will replace him after he returns to the team for the first time since October 2023.

Elsewhere, Moriyasu is expected to name a similar attacking lineup to the one seen in all their previous appearances, with Takefusa Kubo And Takumi Minamino playing just behind the striker while Kaoru Mitoma And Ritsu Doan playing from wide positions.

Zion Suzuki, Ko Itakura, Shogo Taniguchi And Koki Machida have started all last four games together in defense, and with Moriyasu expecting a difficult away match against Indonesia, he will likely stick with this combination here.

Possible starting line-up for Indonesia:
Paes; Walsh, Diks, Amat, Idzes, Verdonk; Sulaeman, Jenner, Haye, Oratmangoen; Bow

Possible starting lineup for Japan:
Suzuki; Itakura, Taniguchi, Machida; Doan, Endo, Morita, Mitoma; Minamino, Kubo; Furuhashi

We say: Indonesia 0-3 Japan

While Indonesia are expected to take on group leaders Japan, Samurai Blue are undeniably the superior side going into this match, and we expect them to secure a comfortable victory.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match, click here.

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