SAITAMA, Japan: Saudi Arabia failed to make any significant gains in World Cup qualifying after a tame 0-0 draw against Japan in front of 58,000 fans at Saitama Stadium on Tuesday.
Japan controlled the game from the start with patient possession football and the Saudi team struggled to create chances on a cool night in Saitama just north of Tokyo.
Saudi Arabia came under early pressure from the Japanese with left winger NAKAMURA Keita giving Saudi full back Muhannad Al Shanqiti a torrid time on Saudi Arabia’s left flank.
The Japanese team played controlled football with short passes and always had a player available. In contrast, the Saudis lacked ideas and when they did manage a break, there was little or no support, making Japan’s job of defending easy.
Japan’s best chance in the half came in the ninth minute when MAEDA Daizen latched on to a through ball and directed a shot against the right post.
Japan goalkeeper SUZUKI Zion had nothing to do except a single headed clearance outside the box.
Hassan Al Tambakti resorted to launching long balls from the back, but they made little impact on the Japanese defense.
KAMADA Daichi and Nakamura continued to cause problems down Saudi Arabia’s right side, setting up a couple of half-chances for Maeda who failed to capitalize.
Saudi Arabia’s best chance came in the 22nd minute when Nawaf Bu Washl crossed to the far post, but Al Shanqiti’s header flew over the bar.
KUBO Take fuss managed a couple of breaks down the right wing, but the final ball failed to trouble the Saudi defense.
It was no surprise when Saudi Arabia replaced Al Shanqiti with Ali Hassan Majrashi at halftime and he managed to leave his mark on Nakamura in the first minute of the half as well as making some tough tackles on the Japanese winger.
In the 56th minute, TANAKA Ao nearly caught out the Saudi defense with a ball over top, but it was just beyond the reach of Maeda, who came close again two minutes later.
Saudi manager Herve Renard brought on Ziyad Aljohani and Turki Alammar in the 60th minute while Japan replaced Kubo and SUGAWARA Yukinari with ITO Junya and DOAN Ritsu.
A great break by Salem Al Dawsari in the 66th minute came to nothing as he was crowded out and the Saudis continued to struggle to create any clearcut chances.
Kamada played in ITO the 82nd minute and Nawaf Al Aqidi did well to tip the shot over the bar. Three minutes later, substitute MINAMINO Takumi headed just wide from a HATATE Reo cross.
But there was little apparent urgency from both teams and even Japan with all their possession failed to create many clearcut chances.
