Japan vs Qatar is a High Roller’s Asian Cup Final

The Asian Cup is an “underdog” in international soccer, too wee-hours oriented and filled with unfamiliar names to make much of a splash in America.

But it’s hard to imagine a more compelling 2019 Asian Cup Final than Japan vs Qatar.

Japan secured a place in the gold medal affair with a 3-0 win over Iran on Monday, followed by Qatar’s 4-0 thrashing of UAE to set up an historic final with the 2 nations facing off for the first time in in the competition’s 63-year history this Friday at 9 AM EST.

The meeting is full of epic narratives. Japan has never lost when making it to the final of the Asian Cup, but the Samurai Blue face opponents on Friday who have yet to concede a goal in the tournament. The Japanese are adored for their brave performances in the World Cup, but the Qataris are hosting a World Cup in 3 years.

I’d be fascinated to see what kind of oil wells and auto factories are wagered on the Japan vs Qatar final. It’s a battle for bragging rights between 2 wealthy nations. What’s more, some view the Qataris as having bought their way into the upper tier of FIFA.

London and Las Vegas clearly do not see the “Maroons” as silver-spoon softies. The Qatar National Team is only a (+225) underdog at BetOnline.

Japan is a modest favorite at (+105) in a match with a stingy Over/Under goal total of (2) thanks to the iron backline of each squad.

Alive for Number 5

Japan National Team boss Hajime Moriyasu is poised to become the first man to win the Asian Cup as both player and coach, having emerged victorious in 1992 when the Samurai Blue kept a clean sheet against Saudi Arabia in the Final.

Moriyasu can make history while extending Japan’s record of dominance with a 5th Asian Cup title. The opposite bench on Friday will be manned by Felix Sanchez, who could become the first Spaniard ever to lead a side to the top of the Asian game.

See what I mean? Every sub-plot to the match feels pivotal in the grand scheme of AFC competition.

What Moriyasu’s side has lacked in flair and creativity after shedding some of its old workhorses following the World Cup, it has made-up for in efficiency and discipline. You can’t say it was a great start for Japan in the Asian Cup, however.

Things were anxious in group play. A tight 3-2 opening win against Turkmenistan was followed by a controversial penalty decision in a 1-0 win over Oman. Even the 3^rd group match against Uzbekistan produced only a 2-1 win. But Japan was all business when it came to an elimination meeting with Iran.

Iran is led by ex-Real Madrid skipper Carlos Queiroz and had become a feared semifinal opponent after scoring 12 goals prior to the clash with Japan. But the Samurai Blue’s tactical plan was executed to perfection. It was center-forward Azmoun whom Japan was tasked with taming, and the center-back pairing of Yoshida and Tomiyasu did so brilliantly. After averaging 4.47 shots per match during the tournament, Azmoun only managed a lone strike against the stubborn Japanese defense.

When Iran started tinkering with formations and lineup changes, that worked out in Japan’s favor too. The Samurai Blue exposed flaws in passing attempts and killed Iran on the counter-attack. Werder Breman forward Yuya Osako scored twice while fellow Bundesliga footballer Genki Haraguchi tacked-on an insurance goal to begin extra time.

A Team by Any Other Name

I’m still fuzzy on the exact pronunciation of “Qatar,” having heard everything from “Kay-Tar” to “Cutter.” But a stone-walling backline and great goalkeeping are effective in any tongue. And we’d all better learn exactly how to pronounce Qatar, because the country will be hosting a World Cup before you know it.

Not everyone expected Qatar to make it to the Asian Cup Final, but the squad didn’t get that memo. Opening matches against Lebanon, North Korea and Saudi Arabia were breezed-through with a goals for/against ratio of 10-0, followed by a victory over Korea and tournament star Heung-Min Son…whom Tottenham will be glad to welcome back.

Sanchez’s side deployed a 5-3-2 formation against Korea, using 5 defenders as a means to relieve pressure whenever the favorites penetrated near the Maroons’ box. A careful 1-0 win over Son’s side was followed by a 4-0 humiliation of host UAE.

But it’s Almoez Ali, a 22-year-old lightning rod of an attacker, who has stolen the show away from keeper Saad Al Sheeb and the Qatari defenders. The youngster has been quiet in international play to date, but the 2019 Asian Cup has provided a dramatic setting for a coming-out party. Ali leads the tournament with 8 goals.

The Maroons are filled with colorful young talent in midfield and on defense, including Spanish league prospect Tarek Salman and the Portuguese-born Ró-Ró. But the units are badly short on experience. Sanchez is putting on a clinic in how to coach-up a young squad of footballers.

Play the Upset Pick

Young players usually wear down late in tournaments. It doesn’t seem to be happening to a green Qatar roster this time around, possibly because the Asian Cup is not the most grueling format in football. Japan is not what it was at the World Cup in Russia, making it more difficult for the Samurai Blue to take advantage of an opponent’s nerves.

Qatar is my pick to surprise and lift the trophy, stealing headlines around the world with a warning blast ahead of the 2022 World Cup.

If the Maroons beat Japan in a penalty-kick shootout, it doesn’t count as a winner on the moneyline. Look for your sportsbook’s odds on Qatar to “lift the trophy” and wager confidently on any line near or above (+150).