Japan vs Mali, Olympics Football 2024, Today Match Prediction

Japan vs Mali Match Prediction & Analysis

In the final match of the day, Asian giants and a one-time medalist, Japan, will take on the U-23 African Cup of Nations second runners-up, Mali, in a Group D match. The match will take place at the Matmut Atlantique stadium in Bordeaux on July 28, at 12:30 a.m. IST. 

The Blue Samurai, coached by Go Oiwa, are on the verge of qualifying for the quarterfinals after demolishing Paraguay in their opening encounter. The goals were scored by Shunsuke Mito (2), Rihito Yamamoto (1), and Shota Fujito (2). In contrast, Mali had to claw from behind to finally settle for a 1-1 draw against Israel in their opening match. For Les Aigles, Cheikna Doumbia scored the equaliser. 

A win or draw for Japan on Sunday will see them through to the quarterfinals; however, Mali will have to wait for their final match to progress, irrespective of the result. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Japan Preview

Coach Go Oiwa couldn't have asked for a better start to the tournament after his side delivered a crushing defeat to the Paraguayan side, which was reduced to 10 men in the first half. Still, that doesn't take away from the Japanese victory, as they secured the lead even before Paraguay was reduced to 10 men. With that win, Japan has gone unbeaten in their last six games, with five wins and one draw. 

When a team scores as many goals as Japan did in their opening match, it's easy to overlook the non-goal scorers, especially when two players score a brace each. Two Japanese players, Koki Saito and Joel Chima Fujita, stood out to fans and statisticians alike. Koki Saito probably had the most impact of the two, as he provided two assists and three key passes in his 73-minute stay on the pitch.

Captain Fujita wasn't far behind, as he was a constant presence all over the field while controlling play from the midfield as he delivered three key passes and a big chance in the game. Oiwa will once again demand control from Fujita, as well as flare and panache. In terms of tactics, Oiwa is likely to start the same 11, though there is a case for Shota Fujio starting after scoring a brace in the last game coming from the bench. 

Japan Probable Starting XI - Kokubo (Goalkeeper); Sekine, Kimura, Takai, Ohata (Defenders); Saito, Mito, Hirakawa, Yamamoto (Midfielders); Fujito, Fujio (Forwards) 

Mali Preview

As coach, my objective is to do better than our quarter-final finish at Athens 2004," -said Les Aigles coach Badro Diallo prior to the event.  However, they have found themselves in a predicament after squandering an opportunity to take three points from a contest they dominated throughout. Mali had 62% control and 22 shots in their encounter against Israel. Yet all they accomplished was to score one goal. The biggest disappointment, however, was centre-back Hamidou's own goal in the 56th minute of the encounter. 

Only time will tell if they regret their own goal, but first they have to deal with an in-form Japanese team capable of hurting them with their speed and talent. However, if there is one team that knows how to beat the Japanese, it is Mali. In a match that happened in March 2024, Mali did beat Japan comprehensively by a margin of 3-1. Three of the day's goal scorers are still on the Mali team. Among them is the excellent Diarra Thiemoko, who was named player of the match against Israel for his assist and five key chances. 

To combat Japanese attacks from the wings, Diallo may go to a 3-4-3 formation rather than the 4-3-3 configuration he employed in the first match. Meanwhile, there are no injury concerns in the camp, so no change to 11 is expected. 

Mali Probable Starting XI - Diarra (Goalkeeper); Doucoure, Diallo, Tounkara, Diomande (Defenders); Traore, Jiddou, Diakite, T Diarra (Midfielders); Doumbia, B Diarra (Forwards) 

JAPAN vs MALI
Winning Prediction

Japan are the favourites to win this game based on their unbeaten record from the past six games and from what happened in their opening match. However, Mali knows how to best Japan, and they do possess the physicality to combat Japan's quickness. In addition, they have not lost in their last four games. 

This one is a difficult game to predict, but one thing is clear, but one thing is certain: neither of these teams will back down, and there will be plenty of goals in this contest. The last time these teams met, four goals were scored in the game. Validating those stats, the xG for this match stands at 3.50. Finally, we like to stay on the fence with this one, so we predict a draw with some goals. 

Japan to Win (1-0)

1xBet

330% up to ₹65,000 on your 1st Deposit with Reg Code: TOPBK

BET NOW