China vs Japan Prediction: Japan are dominating this group

China will welcome Japan at Guangxi Sports Center in Game Week 6 of the FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers. Japan are dominating this group. Who will come out on top after 90 minutes?

In 2002, China reached their first and so far only FIFA World Cup finals, ending bottom in their group, losing all three matches, failed to score a single goal, and conceding nine. China second in the second round of qualification for AFC, where they beat Thailand after their better head-to-head. Branko Ivankovic, who started coaching the team in February 2024, was dealt a very challenging draw of Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Indonesia. China was set for a disastrous start after being defeated three times in a row. The team bounced back with two continuous wins, with China lying at the fourth position and still looking good to qualify automatically for the 2026 World Cup.

D Wang; Yang, Jiang, Zhu, Hu; Li, H Wang, Lin; Wei; Zhang, Abuduwaili

Japan have stamped their authority in Group C, having remained unbeaten with four victories and one draw from their five games, in top spot with 13 points. Their haul of 19 goals, and just one conceded, says it all, underlining the defensive and attacking prowess with which they are seven clear of second-placed Australia.

A minor setback was when Hajime Moriyasu's men were held to a 1-1 draw by Australia in October, but they came roaring back well with a 4-0 triumph over Indonesia.

With their sights set on an eighth consecutive World Cup appearance—a streak dating back to their hosting debut in 2002—the Samurai Blue are eager to solidify their position further and inch closer to qualification. A win in their next outing would mark another significant step in their journey.

Suzuki; Hashioka, Itakura, Machida; Doan, Endo, Morita, Mitoma; Minamino, Kamada; Furuhashi

Shangyuan Wang and Lei Li also suffered injuries in the Bahrain game, so they might not be available for the final. Yuning Zhang has performed well. He scores in both of China's matches of Group C, probably playing side by side with Baihelamu Abuduwaili. Japan thrashed Indonesia 4-0 in their previous match, so they might use the same team there. Japan, potentially from Kyogo Furuhashi, who last found the net in October 2023, is likely to see many of them start. Japan have had a healthy dominance over Group C, having thumped China 7-0 earlier in the campaign. The visitors should do enough to emerge comfortably on top again.