AFC Asian Cup 2019: 3 reasons why Japan beat Saudi Arabia

#1 Japan were tactically superior

Japan's Yoshinori Muto in action during the match against Saudi Arabia

Japan’s measured start to the game was a bit surprising for a neutral, but their tactics were effective as the clock rolled down. The men in blue shirts should be credited for keeping the Saudi’s in check in the final third, even though they were dominant in the midfield, unlike Japan.

But the goal in the 20th minute by Takehiro Tomiyasu changed the fate of the game. It gave them the boost which was missing from them till then, a vital fact in the context of the game. Since then, Doan and Haraguchi played freely in the wings, got ample of space to make runs to get in position to assist.

Japan made more efficient use of set-piece movements, it was evident from the first goal scored by the centre back by getting the better of his markers.

Had they been more alert, the Japanese players could have easily netted a few more, but the strikers were not up to the mark even though they had space and time to go for the kill.

Overall, Japan's superior tactics got them through to the next round, where they face Vietnam in a last-eight clash.