Iraq vs Japan Prediction & Betting Tips - Asian Cup

Prediction published on 18/01/2024, 21:50  by Kennedy Kechula in Football Predictions

Iraq will play Japan on matchday two of this year’s AFC Asia Cup. The two teams are tied on three points in Group D with Japan edging Iraq for the top spot on goals scored. Iraq began the tournament with an impressive 3-1 victory over Indonesia. The victory meant that they have now won their opening match at the last three Asia Cups. It was the perfect response to losing a build-up game 1-0 against Korea right before the tournament began. Iraq have now won four of their last five fixtures. This should have them confident of continuing their impressive record of advancing to the knockout rounds. The Lions of Mesopotamia, who were continental champions in 2007, have qualified from the group stage in the last eight tournaments.

Japan also began the tournament with a huge victory. Hajime Moriyasu’s men were 4-2 winners over Vietnam. The record Asian champions have now won 11 successive games. They should therefore arrive for this match confident of securing passage to the knockout rounds with a game to spare. Japan have never lost to Iraq in the six times they have met and have won five times. One of those victories came in the group stage of the 2015 Asia Cup. The Blue Samurai have finished with maximum points in the group stage at the last two tournaments. Japan have won four continental titles and in the last edition finished as runner-up.