Japan made it two wins out of two with zero goals conceded in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifier third round match as they thrashed Bahrain 5-0 at the Bahrain National Stadium in Riffa.
Ayase Ueda put Japan in the lead with a penalty in the 37th minute before doubling the advantage just two minutes into the second half. Hidemasa Morita then sealed the victory with two goals in a three-minute span, ensuring Japan’s dominance and securing all three points for the Samurai Blue.
Japan, having already netted 12 goals in their first two matches, previously defeated China 7-0 in their opening game on Thursday, positioning them at the top of Group C. They now sit two points ahead of second-placed Saudi Arabia, while Bahrain remains on three points after their initial win over Australia on the Gold Coast last week.
Head coach Hajime Moriyasu made just one adjustment to the squad that dismantled China, with Daichi Kamada replacing Takefusa Kubo. Kamada played a pivotal role in Japan’s first goal, after Wataru Endo threaded a precise pass into the penalty area. Kamada’s attempted cutback struck Abdullah Al Khalsai on the arm, prompting referee Rustam Lutfullin to quickly award a penalty.
Ueda calmly placed the penalty into the bottom right corner, beating goalkeeper Ebrahim Lutfalla despite him guessing correctly.
The goal arrived late in a half where Japan had the better of the limited chances, as the heat and humidity caused both teams to conserve energy. Ritsu Doan nearly put Japan ahead earlier in the ninth minute when Kaoru Mitoma’s cross found him unmarked at the far post, but his shot hit the post.
Shortly after, Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki was called into action, tipping Komail Al Aswad’s header away for a corner in a rare Bahrain attack.
Japan extended their lead just two minutes after the break. Half-time substitute Junya Ito carved open the Bahrain defense with a pass to Kamada, who set Ito free down the right. Ito’s cutback found Ueda, who took a moment to control the ball before smashing it past Lutfalla.
Kamada and Ito continued to threaten, but it was Morita who added Japan’s third, completing a slick one-two with Ueda before slotting the ball past the Bahraini goalkeeper in the 61st minute. Just three minutes later, Morita struck again, tapping in Mitoma’s low cross.
Koki Ogawa added Japan’s fifth with a close-range header in the 81st minute, underlining Japan’s superiority and the gulf in class between the two teams.