Japanese revenge in Muscat?
Will the usual teams prevail again in this World Cup qualifier in Asia? Basically, there are probably only five to six teams fighting it out for the four and a half tickets to the World Cup. However, Oman have not yet given up hope that they might be able to sneak into that illustrious circle.
Currently, the Omanis are in fourth place in the Group B table. Because there are only two direct tickets and one via the diversions of the intercontinental playoffs, that is too little for the Reds. On Tuesday, however, Branko Ivankovic’s team has the opportunity to climb to third place with a win over the Japanese.
The Blue Samurai, however, do not want to be caught off guard again by Oman. The Japanese had already lost the first leg and now they have just gained momentum and moved up to third place. With an away win, the Japanese want to put pressure on the two leading teams from Saudi Arabia and Australia.
After the home defeat to the Omanis, however, the Japanese know that it will not be an easy task to win in Muscat. However, coach Hajime Moriyasu also knows what the hour has struck. He will sensitise his team accordingly. We therefore expect an extremely willing Japanese side and are inclined to place a tip on an away win between Oman and Japan.
Oman – Statistics & current form
How to qualify for a World Cup is not foreign to Branko Ivankovic. As co-coach of the Croatian national team, he took part in France 1998. As head coach, he led the team from Iran to the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Now he wants to achieve successful qualification with Oman as well, which would be tantamount to a small football miracle.
The goal remains the World Cup
Third place in the current group stage is therefore the minimum target. With a home defeat on Tuesday, however, this story could probably already be buried, because then Oman would already be five points behind the Japanese. We rather do not think that betting lovers should play the odds on a successful World Cup qualification of the Reds before the duel between Oman and Japan.
However, there has also only been one defeat in their last four international matches. Besides two compulsory victories in a test match against Nepal and the home match against Vietnam in the World Cup qualifiers, there was an away defeat against Australia. Last week, the Omanis had to play an away match against China in the Emirates.
Basically, both teams needed the win, but in the end they shared the points at 1-1, which doesn’t really help either of them. Amjad Al Harthi levelled the early deficit with a quarter of an hour to go. In terms of personnel, things are looking good for the Reds. Branko Ivankovic will probably be able to call on his best team.
Predicted line-up of Oman:
Al Rusheidi – Al Busaidi, Al Habsi, Al Khamisi, Al Harthi – Al Saadi, Al Yahmadi, Al Aghbari, Al Yahyaei – Al Hajri, Al Subhi – Coach: Ivankovic
Last matches played by Oman:
World Cup – AFC Qualifiers – 3rd Round – Group B
11/11 2021 – China 1 – 1 Oman
10/12 2021 – Oman 3 – 1 Vietnam
10/07 2021 – Australia 3 – 1 Oman
09/07 2021 – Oman 0 – 1 Saudi Arabia
09/02 2021 – Japan 0 – 1 Oman
Japan – Statistics & current form
The Japanese have been one of the strongest teams in Asia for many years. Therefore, it is somewhat unusual that the Blue Samurai are struggling in the current group stage. Criticism at home is loud, but currently the Japanese have it in their own hands to punch the direct ticket to the World Cup in Qatar.
Japanese low-scoring
The problems obviously lie in the offensive, because with four goals, not even last-placed Vietnam has scored less often. On the other hand, the Blue Samurai are very stable, with nine wins in the last eleven international matches, but also two bitter defeats. It sounds like the forecast between Oman and Japan should go in the direction of sub-par goals.
In the meantime, however, the Japanese seem to be back on track. In October, there was a home win against Australia after the defeat in Saudi Arabia. Last week, Hajime Moriyasu’s team won 1-0 in Vietnam after a goal by Junya Ito. Once again, the Japanese showed themselves to be minimalists in this group.
However, the European legionnaires had only just arrived. In the meantime, the Japanese had the opportunity to take part in a few training sessions together. All the big names are currently on board. It is conceivable that there will be some changes. Daichi Kamada, Genki Haraguchi, Ritsu Doan or Kyogo Furuhashi are all options for the starting eleven.
Predicted line-up of Japan:
Gonda – Nagatomo, Yoshida, Tomiyasu, Yamane – Endo, Morita, Tanaka – Minamino, Ito, Osako – Coach: Moriyasu
Last matches played by Japan:
World Cup – AFC Qualifiers – 3rd Round – Group B
11/11 2021 – Vietnam 0 – 1 Japan
10/12 2021 – Japan 2 – 1 Australia
10/07 2021 – Saudi Arabia 1 – 0 Japan
09/07 2021 – China 0 – 1 Japan
09/02 2021 – Japan 0 – 1 Oman
Oman – Japan Direct comparison / H2H balance
13 times the teams from Oman and Japan have crossed paths to date. The record is relatively clear, with the Blue Samurai leading 9-1 after victories. Three duels ended in a draw. The direct comparison is clearly in favour of the guests from the Land of the Rising Sun.
But that was even more the case before the first leg, and it was in that match that the Omanis had their only win. The Japanese failed to make the most of their chances and conceded the goal in the 88th minute through Issam Al Subhi to lose 1-0. The Japanese have a lot to make up for on Tuesday in Muscat.
Oman – Japan Tip
A defeat could end Oman’s fragile World Cup hopes. A defeat means the underdogs would be at least five points behind third place. Since Oman won in Japan, then they can beat the favourites in their own stadium as well.
After all, Japan have lost only two of their last eleven international matches, but have won nine times. A draw can probably be ruled out, especially as Hajime Moriyasu’s team will be looking for revenge. We think that betting on an away win between Oman and Japan should be the better choice.
We don’t expect many goals, as Japan have scored just four goals in five matches in the current group stage. Bets on sub-par goals seem appropriate. However, we are looking at slightly higher quotes and play the betting odds on HT/FT for the Japanese in the Oman vs Japan match, as we expect a highly motivated Japanese team.
