Japan dominated throughout but settled for a 0-0 home draw with Saudi Arabia on Tuesday in their first game since securing their qualification to the 2026 World Cup, sealing the top spot in the Asian final round Group C in the process.
Making six changes to the starting lineup from their win over Bahrain on Thursday, Hajime Moriyasu’s side failed to break down the visitors, who mustered one shot in the game and happily took home a point from Saitama Stadium.
Japan’s Daizen Maeda (11) sees his shot hit the woodwork during the first half of a 2026 football World Cup final-round Asian qualifier against Saudi Arabia at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, near Tokyo, on March 25, 2025. (Kyodo)
“Saudi Arabia are one of the strongest teams in Asia. We had the ball, but it’s hard to create chances when they sit back that deep,” midfielder Daichi Kamada said. “They weren’t coming out to attack, and it’s disappointing not to win…but we should take positives from overwhelming them like that.”
Daizen Maeda started up front and rattled the right-hand post with a first-time effort in the ninth minute after Ao Tanaka played him through, while the Celtic man also showed his electric pace to block defender Ali Lajami’s pass and ran the entire opposing half only to shoot tamely at the goal 10 minutes later.
Japan’s Takefusa Kubo (R) passes the ball during the first half of a 2026 football World Cup final-round Asian qualifier against Saudi Arabia at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, near Tokyo, on March 25, 2025. (Kyodo)
On the back of a goal and assist against Bahrain, Takefusa Kubo was again in the thick of the action and sent a fierce 30-meter drive narrowly over, while 20-year-old defender Kota Takai displayed good composure in his impressive first start.
Junya Ito came on in the 62nd minute and added sparks with his pace, but further substitutions did not pay dividends as Saudi Arabia grabbed an important point amid a fierce battle for the runners-up spot in the group, which would guarantee an automatic qualification to the finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States next year.
Japan’s Junya Ito (L) shoots during the second half of a 2026 football World Cup final-round Asian qualifier against Saudi Arabia at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, near Tokyo, on March 25, 2025. (Kyodo)
“We were already through, so I had nothing holding me back,” said Kawasaki Frontale man Takai. “I haven’t claimed my starting spot yet for Japan…It’s important to keep performing at a high level whenever I get called up to the national team so that it will be worth a starting spot.”
Japan’s Kota Takai (C) aims a header towards goal during the second half of a 2026 football World Cup final-round Asian qualifier against Saudi Arabia at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, near Tokyo, on March 25, 2025. (Kyodo)
Related coverage:
Football: Wataru Endo keeping spirits high as Japan eye World Cup glory
Football: Japan beat Bahrain, 1st non-host to reach 2026 World Cup
Football: Ayase Ueda back scoring as Japan near fastest 2026 World Cup spot
AloJapan.com