‘Doha’s bad relationship’ Japan and Iraq met with a ticket to Paris on the line.
Japan and Iraq announced their initial programs ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics final qualifier and the 2024 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Qatar Under-23 Asian Cup semi-final held at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, on the 30th (Korean time ).
Starting with goalkeeper Leo Kokubo, Japan’s starting team will be Hiroki Sekine, Seiji Kimura, Chima Fujita, Fuki Yamada, Ryotaro Araki, Kuryu Matsuki, Mao Hosoya, Yu Hirakawa, Ayumu Ohata, and Kota Takai.
Zoom image Japan is hoping to extend its record of consecutive Olympic qualifications dating back to 1996 to ‘8’. Photo=AFPBBNews=News1
Iraq’s starting lineup includes goalkeeper Hussein Hassan, Joseph Al Imam, Ahmed Makhenzi, Zayed Tahsin, Hussein Amer, Ali Jassim, Ali Almosawi, Qarar Al Mukhtar, Mustafa Sadun, Salem Ahmad and Zayed Ismael.
First, Japan came second in Group B. They defeated China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), but lost to South Korea. Later, in the quarter-finals, they allowed overtime to Qatar, whose goalkeeper was sent off, and won 4-2.
Japan is aiming to progress to the finals of the Olympic Games for the eighth time in a row. It is a record of consecutive participation dating back to the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
Japan advanced to the semi-finals by defeating host country Qatar. If they capture Iraq, they will have the key to Paris. However, Iraq is clearly a formidable opponent and cannot be easily overlooked.
Iraq topped Group C and progressed to the semi-finals and semi-finals. After a blow to Thailand, they took on Tajikistan and Saudi Arabia in turn. In the quarter-finals, they defeated Vietnam 1-0.
Zoom image Will Iraq be able to block Japan’s path again this time? Photo=AFPBBNews=News1
Iraq, who came fourth at the Athens Olympics 2004. The most recent Olympic participation was the Rio Olympics 2016. If we win this match against Japan, we will go to the Olympics for the first time in eight years.
Japan and Iraq also met in the Qatar AFC Asian Cup 2023 held this year. At that time, Iraq caused an upset by beating Japan 2-1. This was the ‘Miracle of Doha’, repeated 31 years after Japan’s World Cup debut was thwarted in Doha during the US World Cup Asian qualifiers in 1994. So, although the age groups are different, it corresponds with a strong vindictive nature from Japan’s point of view.
Meanwhile, in this competition, the top three countries receive tickets to the finals. And the fourth place can only go to Paris by winning the continental playoff against Guinea.
Min Jun-gu, MK Sports reporter
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