AFC Asian Cup - Japan 1 Saudi Arabia 0 - Match Report
Takehiro Tomiyasu's header the difference as Samari Blue seal place in quarter-finals with 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia
Mitch Freeley
Japan reached the Asian Cup quarter-finals for the eighth consecutive time after Takehiro Tomiyasu's goal led them to a 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia.
In a game of few chances at Sharjah Stadium, Tomiyasu converted a header after 20 minutes and Juan Antonio Pizzi's side failed to mount a comeback.
Pizzi had been criticised for Saudi Arabia's conservative approach during their group matches and once again they offered too little in the final third to trouble four-time winners Japan.
Hajime Moriyasu will have been pleased with Japan's clinical performance, but he will be without Newcastle United forward Yoshinori Muto against Vietname in the next round after the 26-year-old picked up his second booking of the tournament.
Japan scored from their first corner of the game, Tomiyasu taking advantage of Saudi Arabia's loose marking to rise on the edge of the six-yard box and beat goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais to his right with an accurate header.
Saudi Arabia pushed forward and sought a response, but the closest they came to equalising before half-time was a curling Hatan Bahbri shot that flew narrowly past the post.
The game opened up after the interval and Bahbri sent an effort bouncing just wide of Shuichi Gonda's goal just after the hour mark.
But even when presented with a free header from eight yards out inside the final 20 minutes, centre-back Ali Hadi Albulayhi failed to hit the target and ultimately Japan progressed without ever looking worried at the back.
Goals/ Highlights
Goal! Japan take the lead! Takehiro Tomiyasu with a header!
Live Updates
Preamble
Team News is in! Salem Al Dawsari is back for Saudi after missing the 2-0 defeat to Qatar due to suspension! Newcastle United striker Yoshinori Muto leads the line for Japan, and already has a goal to his name in the tournament.
📝 Starting XIs: 🇯🇵 @jfa_samuraiblue 🆚 @SaudiNT 🇸🇦
They've met 3 times in the #AsianCup KO stages with 2 wins for Japan and 1 for the Saudi Arabians. Who will progress to the #AsianCup2019 QFs? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/WMYWVqfbzy — #AsianCup2019 (@afcasiancup) January 21, 2019
The Samurai Blue had a perfect record in the group stages and will be looking to reach the quarter-finals. Japan has won the Asian Cup a record four times but will have a tough test against a Saudi side who last lifted the Asian Cup on UAE soil in 1996.
In more changing room news, The big names are all ready! We are 30 minutes away from game time!
Who do you think will score the game's first? 🇯🇵🇸🇦 #AsianCup2019 pic.twitter.com/KUzS2HlCbb — #AsianCup2019 (@afcasiancup) January 21, 2019
It's the first of three round of sixteen games today! Good to see the changing rooms looking.... well...
Dressing rooms ready ✔️#AsianCup2019 🇯🇵🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/oqbqBWdEun — #AsianCup2019 (@afcasiancup) January 21, 2019
Good afternoon! Welcome to the Live Updates of Japan Vs Saudi in the Asian Cup! It's an interesting game in prospect down in Sharjah as a youthful Japan side takes on Saudi Arabia for a place in the final eight of the Asian Cup. As ever, join me for all the latest updates, build up and goals as they go in!