Oman vs Japan Predictions

Oman sit bottom of Group F after their opening day defeat against Uzbekistan and now can’t afford to lose on Sunday when they face one of the favourites to win the Asian Cup. Japan made hard work of their victory over Turkmenistan and certainly missed some of those more familiar faces that didn’t make the 23-man squad for the tournament.

Uzbekistan took the lead against Oman in the thirty-fourth minute through Akhmedov, and that goal proved enough to separate the two sides at the half time interval. Oman got themselves back onto level terms in this crucial opening group game in the seventy-second minute when Muhsen Al Ghassani latched onto a pass from Ali Al Busaidi. Both teams would have had this game down as a must not lose knowing they would have to face the favourites Japan in the future, and with five minutes left on the clock, Shomurodov scored the winning goal for Uzbekistan to make them the favourites to claim the second qualifying spot. Krimets was sent-off for the winners in stoppage time, but Uzbekistan held on despite only having 38% of the possession during the ninety minutes and producing just three shots. Oman will be hugely disappointed to lose a game they really should have won after dominating the match and having eight corners and fourteen shots.

Japan and Turkmenistan produced a surprising five-goal thriller in their first group game, with the favourites eventually running out 3-2 winners. Amanow handed the underdogs the lead in the twenty-sixth minute with a goal that separated the two teams at half time. Japan had to improve in the second forty-five and they did just that, levelling the scores in the fifty-sixth minute through Ōsako and then taking the lead four minutes later thanks to another Ōsako strike. Doan has been impressing in the Eredivisie and got the all important third goal for Japan in the seventy-first minute, but Ataýew set up a nervy final ten minutes when he pulled a goal back from the penalty spot. Japan held on to secure a deserved win after having 69% of the possession and sixteen shots during the ninety minutes, but their defending must improve if they are to go far in this competition.

The last time these two nations met it was for a friendly match back in 2016, where the hosts Japan ran out 4-0 winners. Ōsako scored twice that day, while teammates Kiyotake and Kobayashi scored the final two goals in the second half. Many of the experienced players in Japan’s side that day have either retired from international football since or have not been selected for the Asian Cup due to injury, form, and club commitments. Khalid Al-Hajri has 11 goals for Oman, but was substituted during the defeat to Uzbekistan, while Yuya Osako moved onto 12 international goals in 38 caps after his double against Turkmenistan.

We’re confident that both teams will score and over 2.5 goals will be produced when these two countries clash on Sunday, and have backed Japan to claim a narrow 2-1 win. Over 2.5 goals have been scored in four of the last five matches between these two clubs, and both teams have scored in two of the last four encounters. Oman’s first group game against Uzbekistan saw both teams score and produced over 2.5 goals, while five of Japan’s last six internationals have produced over 2.5 goals.