Match: Japan v Saudi Arabia
Date: 15 November, Tuesday
Time: 6:35pm SGT/4:05pm IST/10:35 am GMT
Competition: 2018 Fifa World Cup Qualifier
Venue: Saitama Stadium 2002
TV Channel: Fox Sports 3 will provide live TV coverage of the match in Singapore.
Live Streaming: The match can be watched online on AFC's official Youtube Channel.
Overview
Japan host Saudi Arabia in the fifth round match of Asian Group B qualifying for 2018 Fifa World Cup at the Saitama Stadium on 15 November.
The hosts are currently placed third in the group behind leaders Saudi Arabia and second-placed Australia with seven points from four games.
Vahid Halilhodzic's side had a horrid start to their qualifying campaign as they lost their opener against United Arab Emirates 2-1 in September. However, the Samurai Blue have recovered well managing wins against Thailand and Iraq before playing out a draw 1-1 against Asian champions Australia last month.
Japan would want a win in Wednesday's game to keep the pressure on the top two teams in the group at the halfway stage of the qualifying tournament. They are heading into the home match on the back of a 4-0 win against Oman on Friday, in which Yuya Osako scored a brace.
AC Milan's Keisuke Honda along with Sevilla's Hiroshi Kiyotake will be hoping to come up with a positive show in the midfield. Halilhodzic though would have to keep a check on his players' ability to last 90 minutes as they are back at home in the middle of a draining European season.
Halilhodzic has reportedly maintained that his team has no options but defeat group leaders on Wednesday to remain in contention for the automatic qualifying spot for Russia 2018.
On the other hand, Saudi Arabia will look to extend their unbeaten run in the tournament and stay clear from their nearest group rivals. The Green Falcons though will be definitely tested by the home side, who have the quality to take three points from the tie.
TV Schedule
Singapore: Fox Sports 3
Japan: TBS, NHK Japan
Saudi Arabia: beIN Sports Arabia
Thailand: Fox Sports 3
Indonesia: Fox Sports 3
Malaysia: Fox Sports 3
UAE: beIN Sports Arabia
Hong Kong: Fox Sports 3
Kuwait: beIN Sports Arabia
Qatar: beIN Sports Arabia
Team News
Japan
Possible XI: Nishikawa; G Sakai, Maruyama, Yoshida, H Sakai; Saito, Ideguchi, Yamaguchi, Kiyotake, Honda; Osako
Saudi Arabia
Possible XI: Al Mosailem; Al Harbi, Hawasaki, Al Breik, Fallatah; Al Abid, Al Jassim, Al Faraj, Khamis, Al Shehri; Al Muwallad
