Bahrain vs Japan LIVE!

The final Asian Cup quarter-final spots will be decided today, starting with this clash between the Pearl Divers and pre-tournament favourites Samurai Blue. Bahrain topped their group despite losing their opening game and head into this last-16 clash with real hope of becoming a quarter-finalist.

Japan also lost one and won two of their three group games but finished second in their group thanks to Iraq's perfect record - which was ended up Jordan in the knockout stage. It's fair to say Samurai Blue have not been at their most convincing in the tournament, but could continue their fine record against Bahrain this morning.

Premier League pair Takehiro Tomiyasu and Wataru Endo should start, but Brighton's Karou Mitoma was still nursing an ankle injury ahead of the game. Takumi Minamino will also be a familiar name to some, while Takefusa Kubo has this week been linked with a move to the English top flight. Follow the game LIVE below with our dedicated match blog.

Bahrain vs Japan latest highlights

• GOAL! Ueda makes amends and scored Japan's third

• GOAL! Kubo scores after VAR check

• GOAL! Ueda own goal gets Bahrain back into game

• GOAL! Doan gives Japan the lead

• Kick off

Thanks for joining us!

14:07 , Dom Smith

Catch you again soon for another Standard Sport live blog during the 2023 Asian Cup.

Ciao!

A good day's work for Japan

13:55 , Dom Smith

Well, Japan are safely into the last eight after cruising past Bahrain.

You can read Standard Sport's match report here.

FULL-TIME: Bahrain 1-3 Japan

13:33 , Dom Smith

Japan make their way into the quarter-final with a deserved victory over a Bahrain side who tired too early and didn't create enough from open play.

The Samurai Blue will rightly see themselves as one of the favourites to win this Asian Cup. They should have scored more, but some of the football they played was excellent.

Bahrain 1-3 Japan

13:25 , Dom Smith

90+4' How have Japan not scored again?

Asano is denied by Lutfallah when through, and then Japan somehow squander a three-on-one counter-attack. Pretty poor from the leading side. They should be three up.

Bahrain 1-3 Japan

13:22 , Dom Smith

90+2' Two final changes for Bahrain.

Off go Hazza and Al Shaikh. Al Khalassy and Khelaif will each get a short run-out here.

Bahrain 1-3 Japan

13:20 , Dom Smith

90+1' There will be TEN added minutes here!

Blimey. Bahrain's players don't even look happy about that decision. They look shattered!

Bahrain 1-3 Japan

13:17 , Dom Smith

87' Bahrain's desperation there for all too see as their players surround the referee demanding a penalty.

In truth, it was a minor coming together and the brief VAR check rightly agrees with the off-field decision.

Japan a threat whenever they win the ball off Bahrain and run at them now.

Bahrain 1-3 Japan

13:09 , Dom Smith

79' Waleed is booked for a crude challenge on Ueda.

Meanwhile, Doan and Ueda are replaced by Asano and Machida for Japan.

Just over 10 minutes to go.

Bahrain 1-3 Japan

13:07 , Dom Smith

77' Double change for Bahrain now.

Al Hardan and Al Aswad are replaced. Atede and Al Hashash come on.

Al Hashash and Helal will play as a conventional front-two now.

GOAL! Bahrain 1-3 Japan

13:03 , Dom Smith

72' Ueda atones for his terrible own goal by holding off Bahrain's defenders and slotting between Lutfallah's legs.

Crucial goal for Japan. It might just be enough for them here.

Bahrain 1-2 Japan

12:59 , Dom Smith

69' Double change for Japan after that Bahrain goal.

Nakamura and scorer of their second goal, Kubo, are both off in favour of Mitoma of Brighton and former Liverpool man Minamino.

GOAL! Bahrain 1-2 Japan

12:55 , Dom Smith

64' Well they say too many cooks spoil the broth, and that from Japan is what brings Bahrain back into this round of 16 contest.

Suzuki makes an excellent save from a Baqer header, but Suzuki and team-mate Ueda get in each other's way and the ball rolls in. Poor one to concede. Important goal for Bahrain. What a gift.

Bahrain 0-2 Japan

12:52 , Dom Smith

62' Japan playing some lovely stuff now, but their third goal is rightly chalked off after Ueda had made his run just a split-second too early.

Bahrain tiring now.

Bahrain 0-2 Japan

12:47 , Dom Smith

58' Maikuma goes into the book for Japan, shortly after Bahrain's loan striker Helal is also shown a yellow card for a lax challenge.

GOAL! Bahrain 0-2 Japan

12:40 , Dom Smith

49' The referee initially disallows Japan's second for offside, but replays clearly show the ball that fell for Kubo to tuck home was not from the offside Ueda but from Bahrain defender Ali.

After a VAR check, the goal is given. Daylight between four-time champions Japan and Bahrain.

Bahrain 0-1 Japan

12:34 , Dom Smith

46' The second half is underway in Doha.

Half-time | Bahrain 0-1 Japan

12:21 , Dom Smith

Japan ahead at the break here through Doan's 31st-minute finish after Maikuma had crashed a long-distance strike off the post.

Bahrain have been good on the ball without ever doing much with it, apart from Madan's snap-shot and Helal's weak effort. They'll need to offer more after half-time.

Bahrain 0-1 Japan

12:16 , Dom Smith

45+1' Into three minute added on at the end of this first half.

Bahrain 0-1 Japan

12:13 , Dom Smith

42' Plenty of possession for Bahrain, who trail, as we approach the break.

Japan, you'd have to say, deserve the lead. But Bahrain have been comfortable in possession. Japan happy to sit off.

Bahrain 0-1 Japan

12:06 , Dom Smith

36' Sad moment for Hatate as he is forced off with an injury after going down off the ball.

The midfielder is replaced by Morita.

GOAL! Bahrain 0-1 Japan

12:03 , Dom Smith

32' Japan into the lead here through Doan's rebound.

Maikuma sends a flying shot in from range which cannons off the post. Doan is first to it, takes a touch, and fires in.

Bahrain 0-0 Japan

12:00 , Dom Smith

29' Lovely counter from Bahrain who test Suzuki through Madan's low shot from range.

Centre-back Itakura got clattered as Madan took that shot. He's assessed off the pitch before running back on.

Bahrain 0-0 Japan

11:51 , Dom Smith

21' Japan stepping up the tempo now.

Nakamura almost gets his shot away but is crowded out by four Bahrain bodies paying him close attention.

Four-time champions Japan starting to assert themselves now.

Bahrain 0-0 Japan

11:43 , Dom Smith

12' Decent chance for Bahrain as Hatate is tackled in a poor area by Madan, who sends Helal away.

The striker is too slow though, and there are players around him by time he unleashes a weak shot straight at Suzuki.

Bahrain 0-0 Japan

11:40 , Dom Smith

10' STUNNING SAVE BY LUTFALLAH.

Ueda is totally unmarked from a corner, and his header is expertly tipped over the bar by Lutfallah. Bahrain get the next corner clear.

Bahrain 0-0 Japan

11:36 , Dom Smith

5' Very lively start here, very open and end-to-end.

Bahrain have seen more of the ball and progressed further forward too. Great start by them.

Kick off!

11:30 , Dom Smith

Underway here!

Bahrain must not be underestimated

11:16 , Dom Smith

Japan head into the game as clear favourites here, searching for their fifth Asian Cup title.

However, Bahrain have hit form at just the right time. The side ranked 86th in the world headed into the tournament on the back of defeats to the United Arab Emirates, Australia and Angola.

They then lost 3-1 to Son Heung-min's South Korea in their opener in Qatar, but they quickly turned things around and reached the knockout stages by beating Malaysia and Jordan. Japan musts be careful.

Just under half an hour to go!

11:02 , Dom Smith

Kick off is fast approaching at the Al Thumana Stadium in Doha. Just under 30 minutes now before these two sides bid for a place in the last eight of the Asian Cup.

Strength on the bench for Japan

10:49 , Dom Smith

There's plenty of quality on the substitutes bench for Japan, who remain one of the tournament favourites despite that shock 2-1 defeat to Iraq in their second group game.

Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma and former Liverpool striker Takumi Minamino will be familiar faces to viewers of the Premier League.

Meanwhile, Bochum's Takuma Asano and Daizen Maeda of Celtic are also players who could hurt Bahrain if they are called upon in the second half in Doha.

Line-ups for Japan and Bahrain

10:36 , Dom Smith

Here are the starting line-ups for both teams...

Bahrain (4-5-1): Lutfallah; Ali, Adel, Baqer, Al Hayam; Al Hardan, Madan, Marhoon, Al Aswad, Al Shaikh; Helal

Japan (4-5-1): Suzuki; Nakayama, Tomiyasu, Itakura, Maituma; Endo, Doan, Nakamura, Hatate, Kubo; Ueda

Quarter-finals update

10:26 , Dom Smith

This match between Japan and Bahrain will determine who the seventh of eight quarter-finalists will be.

There are already plenty of shocks as well as some household names who have made it into the last eight.

Tajikistan face Jordan in the first quarter, while South Korea will be up against Australia in a heavyweight match-up.

Bahrain or Japan will face the winner of the match between Iran and Syria later today, and the final quarter-final sees hosts Qatar face Uzbekistan.

Japan vs Bahrain H2H (head to head) record and previous results

10:14 , Dom Smith

Japan wins: 9

Draws: 1

Bahrain wins: 2

Japan coach on Bahrain

09:54 , Alex Young

"Bahrain are a very talented side, they have individual talents and they work collectively as a unit. They can not only counter-attack but they have talented players up front that can play good football.

"We have to learn from our mistakes in the first three games but that doesn't mean we have any worries in the defensive line. I'm confident my players will play up to 100% of their potential."

Score prediction

09:44 , Alex Young

Japan have flattered to deceive so far at the Asian Cup given their tag as pre-tournament favourites, but their record in the knockout stages speaks for itself.

Bahrain have progressed out of the group stage for just the third time and Samurai Blue's experience should shine through today. Anything else would be a huge shock.

Japan to win, 2-0.

Japan unfazed by critics

09:28 , Alex Young

Four-time champions Japan have yet to convince they are Asian Cup favourites after finishing second in their group but coach Hajime Moriyasu considers the criticism of his team as a mark of respect ahead of their last-16 game.

Japan are the continent's top-ranked side but finished second in Group D behind Iraq after losing to the west Asian side while Moriyasu's side also failed to keep a clean sheet after conceding goals against Vietnam and Indonesia.

"It's a sign of respect when people say we're struggling at the Asian Cup because they have such high expectations," Moriyasu told reporters ahead of Wednesday's last-16 clash against Bahrain.

"We know we can play better but Asian teams are getting better and they are more competitive. The gap between top teams and lower teams have been cut, that's my impression."

Bahrain lay out game plan

09:16 , Alex Young

Bahrain coach Juan Antonio Pizzi said they will look to control the game and possession against Japan.

The former Spain international also has a chance at redemption after losing to Moriyasu's side in the same round in 2019 when he was in charge of Saudi Arabia.

"The pressure (on Japan) is important and it could play into our hands," Pizzi said.

"Regarding avenging the loss in 2019, this is football and it gives us the opportunity to patch our wounds. Some wounds heal on their own... However, life goes on and we must always be ready to accept what life throws at us.

"The psychological aspect is important for players especially when we win matches and qualify, the morale is high. Victory is good motivation, hopefully we will be able to use that morale to come out victorious tomorrow."

Where to watch Bahrain vs Japan

09:10 , Alex Young

TV channel and live stream: In the UK, the whole tournament is being broadcast live by TrillerTV, formerly FITE. Coverage starts at 11:20am GMT on Wednesday morning ahead of an 11:30am kick-off.

You can watch online via their website or app. The app can be cast from your phone to a compatible TV or with a compatible Smart TV through the Triller app.

The subscription channel costs £7.99 per month or £69.99 for a year. Both options come with a seven-day free trial.

Welcome

08:59 , Alex Young

Good morning and welcome to the Standard's LIVE coverage of the Asian Cup last-16 clash between Bahrain and Japan.

The Pearl Divers have impressed so far in the tournament but now face a Samurai Blue side who were widely tipped to win the whole thing.

We have seen plenty of shocks and surprises so far in Qatar - what will this morning's game bring?