Asian Cup: Japan progress to the quarter-finals

Ko Itakura started in the Japan national team’s 3-1 win over Bahrain in the last 16 of the Asian Cup.

Gladbach centre-back Ko Itakura (Photo: imago images/Hufnagel) missed Japan’s last group against Indonesia (3-1) through injury, but he returned to the starting XI for the Samurai Blue’s round-of-16 game against Bahrain. Itakura played the full 90 minutes of the 3-1 win.

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Ritsu Doan set Japan on the path to victory in the 31st minute, with Takefusa Kubo doubling their advantage shortly after the interval (49’). Bahrain got one back through Ayase Ueda’s own goal (64’), but Ueda restored his side’s two-goal lead in the 72nd minute.

Japan will play the winner of the game between Iran and Syria in their quarter-final on Saturday, 3rd February (12:30 CET).