AFC U23 Asian Cup
While Jordan had to work hard to finish second in Group A to book their quarter-final spot, Japan breezed past their challengers in Group B with three victories.
Head coach Omar Najhi, however, is confident his Jordanian players will rise to the occasion against a Japanese side seeking a third title.
“Tomorrow’s match is very important and we will face strong opponents. We are happy with the players and their fighting spirit, which will be crucial,” said Najhi. “They showed strong character by bouncing back after the defeat to Vietnam (in the group stage) to beat Saudi Arabia and Kyrgyz Republic.
“We have a good balance of young and experienced players, everyone has an important role, and the team are ready to deliver their best performance. We are one of the youngest squads after Japan, but the players are strong, fresh and motivated.”
“Tomorrow’s match is very important and we will face strong opponents. We are happy with the players and their fighting spirit, which will be crucial,” said Najhi. “They showed strong character by bouncing back after the defeat to Vietnam (in the group stage) to beat Saudi Arabia and Kyrgyz Republic.
“We have a good balance of young and experienced players, everyone has an important role, and the team are ready to deliver their best performance. We are one of the youngest squads after Japan, but the players are strong, fresh and motivated.”
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Najhi added that while Jordan have done their homework on Japan, adaptability and attention to detail will be decisive.
“Japan are a very strong team, as they showed in the group stage, but we are ready for them. We have analysed their games and understand their style and quality. Every team has weaknesses, and it is the small details that can make the difference.”
“Japan are a very strong team, as they showed in the group stage, but we are ready for them. We have analysed their games and understand their style and quality. Every team has weaknesses, and it is the small details that can make the difference.”
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Head coach Go Oiwa steered Japan to a perfect Group B which saw them netting 10 goals and conceding none in the wins against United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Iraq.
“We are very happy to have reached this point,” said Oiwa. “After analysing the team, we have prepared a lot and we know what we need to do. We must fight as a unit.
“All the players are in excellent condition and are preparing well. We will choose the lineup very carefully and make sure we are fully ready for the match.”
“We are very happy to have reached this point,” said Oiwa. “After analysing the team, we have prepared a lot and we know what we need to do. We must fight as a unit.
“All the players are in excellent condition and are preparing well. We will choose the lineup very carefully and make sure we are fully ready for the match.”
Oiwa said he had cautioned his players against underestimating Jordan, highlighting their collective strength and athleticism.
“Jordan are a very united team, with many players who are calm, quick and disciplined, so we must be very careful,” he said. “This match is extremely important. All our players are determined to perform well.”
“Jordan are a very united team, with many players who are calm, quick and disciplined, so we must be very careful,” he said. “This match is extremely important. All our players are determined to perform well.”
Trivia
● This will be the first meeting between Japan and Jordan at the AFC U23 Asian Cup. Japan have made the quarter-finals for the third straight edition, progressing to the semi-finals in each of the prior two occasions. Jordan reached the quarter-finals for the first time since 2020, where they lost 2-1 to Korea Republic.
● Japan’s 10 goals in the group stage is the joint most by any side during this phase in any edition of the competition (also Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan – 10 each in 2024); their 23 shots on target is also the most by any side in the 2026 edition, while only Uzbekistan in 2024 (25) managed more during the group stages in any of the last four editions.
● Japan have won and kept a clean sheet in each of their last five AFC U23 Asian Cup matches (stretching back to 2024), which is a tie for the longest run of such games for any side in the competition (also Iraq between 2014 and 2016; Uzbekistan in 2024). This is also the first time Japan have conceded zero goals during the group stage.
● No player won more duels than Jordan’s Anas Al Khab 30 during the group stage. Al Khab logged a duel success rate of 68.2% (30 out of 44 duels won).
Japan v Jordan
Venue: King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium (Jeddah)
Kick-off: Friday, 14:30 (UTC+3)
Venue: King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium (Jeddah)
Kick-off: Friday, 14:30 (UTC+3)
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