Japan vs Canada Match Analysis & Prediction
17/11/2022 4:40 pm
With less than a week from the start of the World Cup in Qatar, Japan and Canada will face off on Thursday at Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai.
In two previous meetings between the nations, the Samurai Blue have beaten Canada both times, with the last game coming in 2013.
Japan have been dealt a tough hand heading into their seventh successive trip to the finals, drawing Germany and Spain in Group E, alongside Costa Rica.
Consequently, their odds of qualifying for the last 16 for the fourth time in their history appears doubtful, though they proved to be a formidable opponent in Russia four years ago.
Since a 3-0 defeat to Tunisia at the Kirin Cup final, the Samurai Blue have been a lot sharper defensively, posting five successive clean sheets.
While few expect them to make it beyond the group stage in Qatar, Hajime Moriyasu’s side should not be taken lightly, with Japan holding World Cup favourites Brazil goalless until the 77th minute in a 1-0 defeat in June, one of just two losses for them all year.
A 36-year wait to compete in the finals is nearly over as the youngsters in this Canadian squad prepare to play on football’s biggest stage for the first time.
They may be one of the less experienced sides heading to Qatar, but they have shown an ability to overwhelm veteran opponents with their transitional play.
In addition to that, many Canadian players are making an impact with their club teams in some of the top European competitions this season.
Despite going winless in their last two matches, Les Rouges have created their share of chances, drawing Bahrain 2-2 last Friday and out-possessing Uruguay in September, but eventually losing 2-0.
Since 2016, Canada have lost just one of their four encounters against Asian opponents.
Japan vs. Canada Head to head
These two nations have previously met on just two occasions, where Japan have won in both encounters, scoring five goals and conceding just one.
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31/05/2001Japan3Canada0Confederations Cup
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22/03/2013Japan2Canada1Friendlies
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17/11/2022N/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
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17/11/2022N/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
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17/11/2022N/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
Japan Team News
After replacing Shuichi Gonda in goal in their victory over the Americans in September, Daniel Schmidt stopped four shots to collect a clean sheet in a goalless draw with Ecuador.
Yuto Nagatomo earned his 137th international cap, putting him in second all-time for Japan behind Yasuhito Endo, who has 152.
Japan's Last 5 Matches
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19/07/2022Japan6Hong Kong0EAFF Football Championship
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24/07/2022Japan0China PR0EAFF Football Championship
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27/07/2022Japan3Korea Republic0EAFF Football Championship
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23/09/2022Japan2United States0Friendlies
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27/09/2022Japan0Ecuador0Friendlies
Canada Team News
Alphonso Davies has missed the last two matches for his club side Bayern Munich with a hamstring strain, but he is expected to play for Canada at the World Cup.
Tajon Buchanan and all-time leading goalscorer Cycle Larin have only scored once each domestically this season for Belgian side Club Brugge.
Canada's Last 5 Matches
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10/06/2022Canada4Curacao0Concacaf Nations League
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14/06/2022Honduras2Canada1Concacaf Nations League
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23/09/2022Qatar0Canada2Friendlies
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27/09/2022Canada0Uruguay2Friendlies
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11/11/2022Bahrain2Canada2Friendlies
Japan vs. Canada: Odds and Predictions
Main Prediction
1 0r X: Yes
Best Odds
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