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[monks data]
Myanmar national football team
World Cup Qualifying - Asia | Second Round
Jun 6, 2024 at 1.10pm UK
Thuwanna YTC Stadium
Japan national football team

Myanmar
0 - 5
Japan


Aung Wai (86')
FT(HT: 0-2)
Nakamura (17', 90+3'), Doan (34'), Ogawa (75', 83')
Maeda (80')

Preview: Myanmar vs. Japan - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Thursday's World Cup Qualifying - Asia clash between Myanmar and Japan, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Japan will travel to Yangon for Thursday's clash with Myanmar in the Asian section of 2026 World Cup qualifying.

The hosts are merely playing for pride after mustering one point from four matches, while Japan have already secured a top-two spot in Group B.


Match preview

Japan's Ao Tanaka celebrates scoring their first goal with Hidemasa Morita and teammates on March 21, 2024© Reuters

Myanmar's hopes of reaching their first World Cup finals have already been quashed with two matches left to play in the current qualifying round.

The country ranked 163rd in the world began their qualifying campaign with a comfortable 5-1 aggregate victory in their first-round tie against Macau.

However, they have been unable to make any meaningful impression in the second stage, collecting just one point from four matches.

After suffering heavy defeats to Japan and North Korea, Myanmar finally got up and running with a 1-1 draw against Syria, before they were quickly stopped in their tracks by a demoralising 7-0 loss in the return fixture.

Having shipped 19 goals in their four matches, they currently hold the second-worst defensive record in the second phase of qualifying, and they will need to offer a dramatic improvement if they are to trouble the group leaders on Thursday.

Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu reacts on March 21, 2024© Reuters

In contrast to their hosts, Japan have already secured their place in the next round after collecting maximum points in their four qualifiers.

They flew out the blocks with consecutive 5-0 victories over Myanmar and Syria, before they recorded a narrow 1-0 victory in March's home meeting with North Korea.

The Samurai Blue were due to face North Korea again four days later, but the match was cancelled before FIFA's disciplinary committee ruled that the match had been forfeited, resulting in Japan being awarded a 3-0 win which sealed their passage to the third round.

Japan boss Hajime Moriyasu would have been pleased with his side's swift progression, helping his players move on from a disappointing quarter-final exit at the Asian Cup earlier this year.

Moriyasu will now be challenging his side to wrap up top spot, with the Samurai Blue sitting five points clear of Syria with just two matches left to play in Group B.

Myanmar World Cup Qualifying - Asia form:

Japan World Cup Qualifying - Asia form:
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W

Japan form (all competitions):
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • W


Team News

 Ayase Ueda celebrates his goal for Japan against Bahrain at the Asian Cup© Reuters

Myanmar defender Hein Phyo Win is set to serve a one-match suspension after being sent off in the heavy defeat to Syria.

Captain Maung Maung Lwin will offer the home side's main goal threat, having scored both of his country's two goals in the current round of qualifying.

As for Japan, Zion Suzuki is expected to start in goal, with Yukinari Sugawara, Ko Itakura, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Hiroki Ito all set to feature in the backline.

Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo is likely to return to the lineup after being utilised as a substitute in Japan's most recent outing against North Korea in March.

Feyenoord striker Ayase Ueda will be given the responsibility of leading the line, having scored 11 goals in 25 international appearances.


Myanmar possible starting lineup:
Phyo; K H Paing, P W Hein, Kyaw, Soe; T Aung, L W Aung, Nay, L M Aung, K K Z Hein; Lwin

Japan possible starting lineup:
Suzuki; Sugawara, Itakura, Tomiyasu, Ito; Endo, Morita; Doan, Minamino, Maeda; Ueda


SM words green background

We say: Myanmar 0-4 Japan

Despite having home advantage on their side, Myanmar will struggle to compete with a team of Japan's quality, and we think that the hosts could experience a similar result to the 5-0 defeat that they suffered in November's reverse fixture.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




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Game History

How you voted: Myanmar vs Japan

Myanmar
23.5%
Draw
0.0%
Japan
76.5%
17
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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


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