Can Myanmar Pull Off a Surprise Upset and Defy Japan's Dominance in a Pivotal World Cup Qualifier?

World Cup Qualifying - Asia

Myanmar

Japan

Match Stats

Myanmar

Myanmar's aspirations for reaching their first World Cup finals have been dashed with two matches remaining in the current qualifying round. Ranked 163rd in the world, they began their campaign promisingly with a dominant 5-1 aggregate victory over Macau in the first round. However, their momentum faltered in the second stage, where they have managed to secure only one point from four matches. Heavy losses to Japan and North Korea underscored their struggles, although a 1-1 draw against Syria provided a brief respite before a crushing 7-0 defeat in the return fixture. With 19 goals conceded, Myanmar holds the second-worst defensive record in this phase of qualifying, and they will need a remarkable turnaround to challenge the group leaders on Thursday.

Japan

In stark contrast, Japan has already ensured their progression to the next round, having secured maximum points from their four qualifiers. The Samurai Blue started strong with back-to-back 5-0 wins against Myanmar and Syria, followed by a narrow 1-0 victory over North Korea in March. Their second fixture against North Korea was canceled and later forfeited in Japan's favor, granting them a 3-0 win and sealing their place in the third round. Head coach Hajime Moriyasu has guided his team effectively, bouncing back from a disappointing quarter-final exit at the Asian Cup earlier this year. With Japan sitting five points clear of second-placed Syria and only two matches left, Moriyasu will be pushing his squad to secure the top spot in Group B.

Prediction

Given the contrasting fortunes of the two teams, Japan is poised to dominate the upcoming fixture against Myanmar. The Samurai Blue's impeccable form and solid defensive record make them overwhelming favorites. Myanmar, plagued by defensive frailties and inconsistent performances, faces an uphill battle to contain Japan's potent attack. Expect Japan to control the game from the outset, creating numerous scoring opportunities and likely securing a comfortable victory. For Myanmar, it will be a match focused on damage control and attempting to find positives in an otherwise challenging campaign.

Myanmar vs Japan stream and TV listing

Japan: Nippon TV

Myanmar: Skynet Myanmar

International：Score808 808ball

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