Japan vs Spain: 2022 World Cup, Group Stage Match Preview, and Dream11 Predictions

Japan vs Spain on Thursday evening in the final group stage encounter of an eventful World Cup for the Samurai Blue.

Match Details:

• Location: Ar-Rayyan, Qatar
• Stadium: Khalifa International Stadium
• Date: Thursday 2 December
• Kick-off Time: 12:30 AM IST
• Watch: Sports 18/HD, JIO Cinema App

Japan vs Spain: Match Preview:

Hajime Moriyasu's side followed up their orbit-troubling upset against Germany with a surprise reverse against Costa Rica. Japan still sit second in Group E, one point behind Spain - the only unbeaten team in the group after their draw with Germany.

Japan could qualify with a point if Germany fail to defeat Costa Rica by two goals but a win would cement their spot in the last 16. Spain just need a point to go through.

At least two members of the German squad - Antonio Rudiger and David Raum - told their Spanish club-mates to do them a favour and beat Japan but a win would be beneficial for Spain as well, securing first place and a knockout tie against the runners-up of Group F.

Team News:

Japan:

Both defenders Hiroki Sakai and Takehiro Tomiyasu sat out Japan's 1-0 defeat to Costa Rica with hamstring issues. Moriaysu made five changes to the starting XI that beat Germany but still switched to a back-three at half-time for the second consecutive match.

Spain:

Luis Enrique had his entire 26-man squad either on the pitch or the bench against Germany on Sunday night. For the second match in a row, Alvaro Morata scored as a substitute, underlining his case for what would be a first-ever World Cup start.

After starting the first two matches, Enrique may be tempted to rest the 18-year-old Gavi for a match with less jeopardy and bring in Koke, who replaced the teenager in the second half against Germany.

Japan vs Spain: Head to Head:

Spain have an impressive record against Japan and have won the only match that has been played between the two teams.

Japan have never defeated Spain on the international stage. The previous meeting between the two teams took place in an international friendly over 21 years ago in April 2001 and ended in a 1-0 victory for Spain.

Spain have not lost any of their last five matches against Asian opponents in the FIFA World Cup but were eliminated on penalties by Korea Republic in 2002.

Predicted Line-ups:

Japan Starting 11 (3-4-3): Gonda; Itakura, Yoshida, H Ito; Yamane, Endo, Tanaka, Nagatomo; J Ito, Asano, Kamada.
Bench: Kawashima, Schmidt, Taniguchi, Morita, Shibasaki, Minamino, Maeda, Soma, Kubo, Doan, Machino, Ueda, Mitoma.

Spain Starting 11 (4-3-3): Simon; Carvajal, Rodri, Laporte, Alba; Pedri, Busquets, Koke; F Torres, Morata, Olmo.
Bench: Sanchez, Raya, P Torres, Garcia, Balde, Azpilicueta, Guillamon, Llorente, Gavi, Soler, Fati, Williams, Pino, Sarabia, Asensio.

JPN vs SPN: Dream11 Predictions: