Japan and Qatar face off in the first of the Asian Cup quarter-finals, with the hosts riding high after their dramatic turnaround during the group stages.
After losing their opening game 2-0 to the impressive Uzbekistan, Bruno Metsu's men seemed destined for a disastrous early exit from the competition.
Thanks to the brilliance of youngster Yusef Ahmed however, the hosts have been able to resurrect their campaign; the 22-year-old netted a wonderful double against China before the Qataris won their final group game against Kuwait and secured passage into the knockout stages.
Their preparation has been tarnished somewhat by the departure of Hussein Yasser from the squad after he missed training and displayed a poor attitude.
Metsu has held closed training sessions in the build-up to the Japan game, denying players interviews with media as he looks to keep focus on the task at hand.
StaReko understands that there's a good spirit emanating from the Qatar camp, while Japan head into this match on the back of a 5-0 thumping of a listless Saudi Arabia.
Shinji Okazaki got his first start of the tournament and rewarded manager Alberto Zaccheroni's faith with a hat-trick, while fellow forward Ryoichi Maeda scored a double.
First-choice goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima returns from suspension and Keisuke Honda is set to play after training yesterday, ruled out of the Saudi game with an ankle injury.
Right-back Atsuto Uhcida will sit the match out after picking up yellow cards against Syria and Saudi Arabia, with Masahiko Inoha set to take his spot.
Japan fans will be desperate to see Bundesliga star Shinji Kagawa fire after his underwhelming start to the campaign; the Borussia Dortmund man has failed to transfer his blistering club form onto the international arena and many have attributed this to his playing out of position and in an unfamiliar system with the Samurai Blue.
Neither of these sides are in convincing form but Japan have the individual quality to edge this one nonetheless.
Japan 2-0 Qatar 
